Synopses & Reviews
Chess has been one of the worlds most popular games for centuries and is still going strong. Not only is it both fascinating and fun, but as recent studies have shown, it also has potential lifelong benefits: improved academic achievement in children and a lower risk of Alzheimers disease later in life. With
Knack Chess for Everyone, theres finally a clear, step-by-step, visually driven introduction that makes the game easier than ever, without ignoring the complexities. From the basics to the concepts, tactics, and strategies needed for advanced play, this book gives you everything you need for years of great chess to come. 450 full-color photos covering:
Moving & Capturing
10 Tough Tactics * Opening Principles
Playing White & Black * Special Moves
Middle Game * Attacking the King
Championship Combinations
Draws * Checkmates * Endgame
Review
"Whether you want to quickly learn the basics or to become a tough tournament player, popular chess writer Al Lawrence employs his usual wit and clarity to give you an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide."--Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Chess Champion
Review
"Whatever your age, former Chess Journalist of the Year Al Lawrence makes it easy to learn chess--and to get good at it. You'll come away with a hobby that's good for your mind and a way to make new friends all over the world."--Nick de FirmianThree-time U.S. Chess Champion and author of "Modern Chess Openings"
Synopsis
Chess is a refreshing pastime for most players, and an all-encompassing obsession for a few. And yet much of chess literature--heavy on notation, low on useful illustrations, frustrating for the beginner--is directed at those already in the know. Knack Chess for Everyone provides an alternative: a clear, understandable, and fun entry into chess that doesn't ignore the complexities and challenges. Photographs of actual game boards, often paired with a diagram, represent the perspective of the player looking at the pieces. The book clearly explains the rules of play and movement of pieces, and then gradually introduces various tactics and strategies.
Synopsis
Chess is a refreshing pastime for most players, and an all-encompassing obsession for a few. And yet much of chess literatureheavy on notation, low on useful illustrations, frustrating for the beginneris directed at those already in the know. Knack Chess for Everyone provides an alternative: a clear, understandable, and fun entry into chess that doesnt ignore the complexities and challenges. Photographs of actual game boards, often paired with a diagram, represent the perspective of the player looking at the pieces. The book clearly explains the rules of play and movement of pieces, and then gradually introduces various tactics and strategies.
About the Author
Al Lawrence is the author of more than a dozen books on chess, science and writing. He is a regular contributor to Chess Life magazine as well as to the World Book Yearbook encyclopedia. Executive director of the United States Chess Federation during a decade of innovation and record-breaking growth, he went on to serve as the first executive director of the World Chess Hall of Fame. A former public school educator and university teacher of writing with advanced degrees in instructional techniques, he is especially interested in applying modern teaching theory to chess and other popular subjects. Lawrence was selected as Chess Journalist of the Year for 2000 by the Chess Journalists of America and continues to win awards for his writing.
Lawrence has had a parallel career in electronics, serving as a vice president of Excalibur Electronics and as CEO of StarFinder, Inc., a company that developed Night Navigator, a product that quickly teaches amateur stargazers the night sky. Night Navigator has been featured internationally in magazines and on television.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1 History/Overview
Chapter 2 How Pieces Move
Chapter 3 Chess Notation; Piece Values
Chapter 4 Check, Checkmate, Special Moves
Chapter 5 Alternative Games
Chapter 6 Tactics: Forks, Skewers, Pins
Chapter 7 Strategy: Offense & Defense
Chapter 8 - Openings
Chapter 9 More Openings
Chapter 10 Middle Game
Chapter 11 Tactical Problems
Chapter 12 End game
Chapter 13 Chess Problems
Chapter 14 Common Mistakes to Avoid
Chapter 15 Instructive Sample Games
Chapter 16 Chess Thinking
Chapter 17 Advanced Chess Problems
Chapter 18 Computer, Online, and Distance Chess
Chapter 19 - Chess Opportunities: Clubs, Teams, Tournaments,
Chapter 20 - Resources
Glossary