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Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess
This book is essentially a teaching machine. The way a teaching machine works is: It asks you a question. If you give the right answer, it goes on to the next question. If you give the wrong answer, it tells you why the answer is wrong and tells you to go back and try again. This is called "programmed learning". The real authors were experts and authorities in the field of programmed learning. Bobby Fischer lent his name to the project. Stuart Margulies is a chess master and also a recognized authority on programmed learning. He is a widely published author of more than 40 books, all in the field of programmed learning, especially in learning how to read. For example, one of his books is "Critical reading for proficiency 1 : introductory level". Donn Mosenfelder is not a known or recognized chess player, but he was the owner of the company that developed and designed this book. He has written more than 25 books, almost all on basic reading, writing and math.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1966
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 680 reviews
December 4, 2013
Note to readers looking for a little light reading enjoyment on a sunny afternoon: "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" is not the book you're looking for. It has two woefully undeveloped main characters, with poor distinction between protagonist and antagonist. These mysterious main characters, known only as "White" and "Black", have the sole purpose of meddling constantly in the affairs of thirty-two minor characters, also lacking more than cursory description or much development. With "mating" being the rather single-minded goal of these opposing forces, there isn't much that can be identified as a main plot. There is a fair amount of action, and there are hints that other books have been written featuring these characters, so perhaps there is hope for some story arc. Though lacking a focused, cohesive central plot, it is fraught with flashbacks and countless tedious sub-plots, often leaping from one action scene to the next without so much as a "by your leave" en passant. Worse still, the setting is terribly unimaginative in its scope, as if the medieval landscape had been designed by one whose vision was limited to black & white. I hope Hollywood decides NOT to make this into a movie...
This book gives a beginning player plenty of interesting examples, and focuses on two important aspects of the game: thinking ahead and recognizing opportunity (although there also seems to be huge emphasis on achieving mate while the opponent's king is trapped in the back row, presumably by his own errant play). The complexity of the presented game situations increases as one progresses through the book. Despite its failings in some areas, I believe this book to be a very handy learning tool for any beginning player.
Did it help me as a beginner? Sure, but just like most of us will never be NFL quarterbacks or Olympic gold medalists, I also will never be a master at chess. That said, the fact that I still continue to have my @$$ handed to me almost every time I engage in a friendly game of chess in no way detracts from the enjoyment of exercising the brain... nor from my opinion of this book when viewed in light of its intended purpose. So, yes, I believe my game improved some from having read it, and I'm equally certain that no one shall ever bestow upon me the title of chess master.
Beginning chess player? Yes? Then read this book.
This book gives a beginning player plenty of interesting examples, and focuses on two important aspects of the game: thinking ahead and recognizing opportunity (although there also seems to be huge emphasis on achieving mate while the opponent's king is trapped in the back row, presumably by his own errant play). The complexity of the presented game situations increases as one progresses through the book. Despite its failings in some areas, I believe this book to be a very handy learning tool for any beginning player.
Did it help me as a beginner? Sure, but just like most of us will never be NFL quarterbacks or Olympic gold medalists, I also will never be a master at chess. That said, the fact that I still continue to have my @$$ handed to me almost every time I engage in a friendly game of chess in no way detracts from the enjoyment of exercising the brain... nor from my opinion of this book when viewed in light of its intended purpose. So, yes, I believe my game improved some from having read it, and I'm equally certain that no one shall ever bestow upon me the title of chess master.
Beginning chess player? Yes? Then read this book.
April 17, 2010
This book would be better titled "Bobby Fischer Teaches a Very Limited Set of Mating Positions." It does a good job of teaching a person to recognize opportunities for checkmate. What it doesn't do is teach chess. There is nothing here about openings, middle-games, or principles of end-games like passed pawns, stalemates, etc.
The presentation style is good, and the book does a good job of teaching the very limited set of mating positions that it bothers to present. And it's short. But don't expect to win a lot of games using only this book as a reference. You'll never survive against a good player long enough to get to one of these mating positions without understanding controlling the center, pinning pieces, and immobilizing pieces, and getting into mobile positions.
The presentation style is good, and the book does a good job of teaching the very limited set of mating positions that it bothers to present. And it's short. But don't expect to win a lot of games using only this book as a reference. You'll never survive against a good player long enough to get to one of these mating positions without understanding controlling the center, pinning pieces, and immobilizing pieces, and getting into mobile positions.
October 9, 2016
I'll be the first to admit, I'm feckin' useless at chess.
Bobby made me a little less feckin' usless.
Bobby made me a little less feckin' usless.
June 5, 2020
كتاب جيد للمبتدئين في اللعبة يعيبه فقط التركيز علي الكش مات في الجوانب الأربعة من الرقعة فقط وترك باقي الرقعة دون حماية، كما لم يتطرق للإفتتاحيات وهي أهم جزء في اللعبة من وجهة نظري, هذا غير الطباعة السيئة جداً واختلاط الأسماء فكان أحياناً يطلق علي الوزير ملك والعكس وكل هذا الإنتقاد الشخصي موجه لمترجم النسخة الحالية ودار النشر وليس للعظيم بوبي فيشر بالتأكيد .
November 28, 2020
Chess kindergarten. Do not expect any thoughtful method designed by the World Champion. This is but a sheer array of chess diagrams with Bobby Fischer never taking any part in it, merely scribbling his signature on the top of the sham.
Further reading:
The documentary Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011) on Robert James Fischer aka Bobby Fischer, who partly inspired Beth Harmon in the series The Queen's Gambit.
-----------------------
Exercices d'échecs pour les joueurs dans leurs débuts, qu'on ne s'attende pas à un apprentissage fouillé, Bobby Fischer a apposé sa signature au livre, rien de plus.
Pour aller plus loin :
Le documentaire 64 case pour un génie (Bobby Fischer Against the World) (2011), sur la vie de Robert James Fischer sur la vie de Robert James Fischer, alias Bobby Fischer, qui a inspiré (en partie) le personnage de Beth Harmon dans la série La partie de la dame.
Further reading:
The documentary Bobby Fischer Against the World (2011) on Robert James Fischer aka Bobby Fischer, who partly inspired Beth Harmon in the series The Queen's Gambit.
-----------------------
Exercices d'échecs pour les joueurs dans leurs débuts, qu'on ne s'attende pas à un apprentissage fouillé, Bobby Fischer a apposé sa signature au livre, rien de plus.
Pour aller plus loin :
Le documentaire 64 case pour un génie (Bobby Fischer Against the World) (2011), sur la vie de Robert James Fischer sur la vie de Robert James Fischer, alias Bobby Fischer, qui a inspiré (en partie) le personnage de Beth Harmon dans la série La partie de la dame.
September 2, 2022
This book transformed my chess game. Mind you, I was a twelve year old chess novice at the time, with little more knowledge of the game than the basic rules and how to move the pieces. Reading this book, working the simple puzzles it presents, started me down the road toward a more serious game.
That’s the audience this book is geared towards — young chess neophytes. This isn’t a book to make you a master. But if you are still at the point of mindlessly pushing pieces it can give you the beginning steps to think about the game more strategically.
And yeah, Bobby Fischer’s involvement with this book began and ended with lending his picture and his name. Kid me, who thought he was learning from the master, would have been so disappointed!
That’s the audience this book is geared towards — young chess neophytes. This isn’t a book to make you a master. But if you are still at the point of mindlessly pushing pieces it can give you the beginning steps to think about the game more strategically.
And yeah, Bobby Fischer’s involvement with this book began and ended with lending his picture and his name. Kid me, who thought he was learning from the master, would have been so disappointed!
September 10, 2021
I still suck but it’s not Robert’s fault
October 3, 2017
I really love "Bobby Fischer teaches chess". It introduces several key concepts, such as pinning, back-rank attacks, interposing etc., and after each concept there are lots of puzzles. In the puzzles you have to determine how to accomplish checkmate, if it's checkmate even possible or if it can be avoided (as the defender), always by the means that has just been explained (except for the mixed-bag exercises). This really drives home the points and forces you to learn.
In a real game, you start to see possibilities of checkmates a lot faster, but also your general game improves by understanding these concepts that don't just apply to endgame situations. I used to just know the rules and play more or less just reacting to moves or improvising, not being able to see a path to victory. If you had given me a queen and a rook and unlimited moves without the opponent reacting, it would still probably have taken me forever to checkmate. Now so much has become clear. My boyfriend said that my chess game improved by at least 200 points just by reading this book!
In a real game, you start to see possibilities of checkmates a lot faster, but also your general game improves by understanding these concepts that don't just apply to endgame situations. I used to just know the rules and play more or less just reacting to moves or improvising, not being able to see a path to victory. If you had given me a queen and a rook and unlimited moves without the opponent reacting, it would still probably have taken me forever to checkmate. Now so much has become clear. My boyfriend said that my chess game improved by at least 200 points just by reading this book!
October 3, 2009
Bobby Fischer Teaches Back Rank Mates would be a more accurate title, and a title that included the other two coauthors would be more accurate still. But never mind the cover. This is a handy little course in beginner's-level tactics. The coauthors use their method of "programmed instruction," a series of bite-sized exercises, each with immediate feedback to reinforce each lesson. The scope is limited, but the method is self-paced and engaging. It has me thinking about using programmed instruction with my students.
July 10, 2022
I had not played chess for many years when I happened upon an inexpensive copy of this book in a used bookshop. The book includes a brief overview of the rules of chess followed by a series of endgame puzzles. I thoroughly enjoyed solving the chess puzzles. I’ll have to wait until an opportunity to play arise to discover if my game has actually improved.
February 8, 2023
كتاب خفيف نضيف يصلح للمبتدئين في الشطرنج
فيه التعليمات الاساسية بخصوص هذه اللعبة ، كيفية تحرك القطع ، ماذا يعني الكش مات وكيف يمكن تحقيقها ، بالإضافة للقليل من الأمثلة عن ذلك من أدوار بطل العالم السابق بوبي فيشر..
لكن لا يُنصح به للخبراء او أصحاب التقييم المتوسط لأنه لن يقدم لهم الكثير
فيه التعليمات الاساسية بخصوص هذه اللعبة ، كيفية تحرك القطع ، ماذا يعني الكش مات وكيف يمكن تحقيقها ، بالإضافة للقليل من الأمثلة عن ذلك من أدوار بطل العالم السابق بوبي فيشر..
لكن لا يُنصح به للخبراء او أصحاب التقييم المتوسط لأنه لن يقدم لهم الكثير
February 1, 2023
Man, i loved this book when i was just a kid first learning about chess. Somebody must've given it to me circa 4th grade when the cool new young teacher first came to our tiny parochial school and taught us all the game. I'm estimating that i entirely consumed it for the first time when i was only 10yrs old, and probably understood very very little of it. A whopping 5 nostalgic stars from the little kid inside me who still kinda remembers what it was like to believe i could be that good at something.
January 16, 2021
Oh I’m sorry, is this “not really a book” and “more a collection of worksheets” that “shouldn’t count towards my reading challenge”? well if you’re so smart how bout you meet me at the chess.com app motherfucker. Knight to d-eez nuts
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December 24, 2017يااااه، الكتاب الذي تعلمت منه مبادئ الشطرنج منذ سنوات. لا أذكر محتويات الكتاب؛ ولذلك لن أقيّمه ولكني ما زلت أذكر مبادئ الشطرنج بالطبع :D
July 15, 2020
Unlike Fischer and a lot of my friends who started to play chess when they were 6 years old, I started chess after I could legally drink in the US. Starting off, I lost uncountable times and thought about quitting. I questioned whether it is possible to be really good at chess when one started playing it pretty late in life. I kept thinking about it and sometimes dreamt about playing chess. After finishing this book, I still lost uncountable times and don’t know the absolute answer to that question I’ve had but I enjoy playing chess even more than I used to. Really, I’ve never known that completing chess puzzles feels so much fun like playing Sudoku.
December 1, 2020
Almost exclusively focused on achieving checkmate and avoiding checkmate. I've read that it's better to learn about the endgame first, because it's the best way to learn how the pieces move and attack. This is a great beginners book, but it did feel a tad simplistic to me, even with my only basic knowledge of Chess.
In the end though, it was fun to read, and I do think I'll see positions for checkmate that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.
In the end though, it was fun to read, and I do think I'll see positions for checkmate that I wouldn't have seen otherwise.
August 21, 2021
This book is for beginner chess players who want to learn about basic chess tactics.
A nice introduction to tactics. It is a kind of workbook with enough puzzles to make you
understand the idea behind a particular tactic.
The title may imply that it covers the game as a whole but it discusses only 5 basic tactics.
A nice introduction to tactics. It is a kind of workbook with enough puzzles to make you
understand the idea behind a particular tactic.
The title may imply that it covers the game as a whole but it discusses only 5 basic tactics.
January 27, 2021
3,5 / Na, knyga nėra bloga – tačiau skirta tikrai tik pradinio lygio žaidėjams. Ir netgi dar labiau pradinio nei aš, nes pasirodo, kad per porą mėnesių ir taip ėmiau sugebėti pamatyti, kuriuo būdu yra geriausia apginti karalių – šitam dalykui skiriamas vienas iš knygos skyrių. Žodžiu, pusė knygos buvo toks truputį "meh, I know this already, it's easy", bet visgi kitoje pusėje atradau kai ką ir naujo.
Iš esmės Fischeris moko matavimo kombinacijų – realiai tai viskas. Taigi, tema ganėtinai siaura ir specifinė. Kita vertus, jaučiu, kad kelis tricks'us ir kombinacijų galimybes išmokau ir išsinešiau, be to, buvo puiki praktika elementariai stebėti lentą ir figūrų išsidėstymą bei atsiveriančias (ne)galimybes kažką nuveikti. Jaučiu, kad be šio įgūdžio šachmatuose daug nepasieksi – už jo lavinimą Fischeriui ir esu labiausiai dėkinga. O dar patiko ir tai, kad skaitant nereikėjo turėti šachmatų lentos po ranka, tikrai užteko vizualizacijų ir galėjau perskaityti kad ir kelis puslapius darbe per pertraukėlę.
Ar Fischerio knyga padarė mane geresne žaidėja? Manau, kad taip. Aišku, iš esmės tik prieš tokius pat noob'us kaip aš pati, bet vis tik tai vis vien yra progresas – o tai ir svarbiausia.
Iš esmės Fischeris moko matavimo kombinacijų – realiai tai viskas. Taigi, tema ganėtinai siaura ir specifinė. Kita vertus, jaučiu, kad kelis tricks'us ir kombinacijų galimybes išmokau ir išsinešiau, be to, buvo puiki praktika elementariai stebėti lentą ir figūrų išsidėstymą bei atsiveriančias (ne)galimybes kažką nuveikti. Jaučiu, kad be šio įgūdžio šachmatuose daug nepasieksi – už jo lavinimą Fischeriui ir esu labiausiai dėkinga. O dar patiko ir tai, kad skaitant nereikėjo turėti šachmatų lentos po ranka, tikrai užteko vizualizacijų ir galėjau perskaityti kad ir kelis puslapius darbe per pertraukėlę.
Ar Fischerio knyga padarė mane geresne žaidėja? Manau, kad taip. Aišku, iš esmės tik prieš tokius pat noob'us kaip aš pati, bet vis tik tai vis vien yra progresas – o tai ir svarbiausia.
January 23, 2023
You won't get a lot of strategy or Fischer's philosophy of chess. This is a good little workbook with lots of diagrams and puzzles and was fun to read. Very focused on checkmate with nothing about openings. Gave me lots to focus on.
October 20, 2021
Um bom livro para quem tem dificuldade com o final do jogo. Me ajudou bastante a entender alguns temas de mate.
February 28, 2021
Surprisingly, I'm disappointed in this book. Almost the entire thing is made up of 275 back rank checkmate puzzles of increasing difficulty. Back rank mating is a very important skill to learn, and I'm sure I'll be better at it now. The main problem is the puzzles are formatted in a way that's not very conducive to learning. The book presents a puzzle, tells you to find the correct answer (usually by picking yes/no and drawing the first move in a sequence), and then you turn the page to find out if you were right or wrong. So most readers would probably end up with a lot of incorrect answers scribbled onto their pages (I know I would have if I didn't use my eraser). You also have to flip the book upside-down halfway through to do the rest of the puzzles, which is a little bizarre but a more economic use of paper I guess. The principles are sound, of course, but there's nothing you couldn't learn from puzzles on Chess.com or other sites/apps these days. There's a select few anecdotes covering games that Fischer played, but they're never explored in any depth. I'm sure the book was indispensable in 1966 and for a few decades after. But it still makes a lot of top Chess book lists, which doesn't make sense in a world with much better learning tools and resources.
March 16, 2016
The book focuses on the endgame: back rank mating. It is organized into so-called "Frames" in which there are checkmating lessons, puzzles and solutions. I could say the book is aimed at the beginners but that doesn't mean chess players of higher ranks won't have benefit from it. It opens up your eyes to look for checkmate opportunities.
Recommended to those who are interested in chess.
I suggest you write down numbers of the frames that seemed challenging to you, so that in case you decided to review, you can refer to those frames.
P.S. You can feel Bobby Fischer's pride in the sentences of this book. :)
Recommended to those who are interested in chess.
I suggest you write down numbers of the frames that seemed challenging to you, so that in case you decided to review, you can refer to those frames.
P.S. You can feel Bobby Fischer's pride in the sentences of this book. :)
November 4, 2020
This could be a good book for someone that already knows the basics of chess. It does not teach how the pieces move or basic opening/middle game/end game . What it does is teach Tactics, in particular focusing on back rank mate (which is probably the most common tactic). The format it different than other tactics books. I think it’s quite friendly for beginners.
April 14, 2018
كمبتدئة في عالم الشطرنج توقعت ان اتعلم اكثر
ولكن لا باس به كبداية للاعب العالمي بوبي
ولكن لا باس به كبداية للاعب العالمي بوبي
January 12, 2023
Lots of fun! Definitely would recommend for beginner players wanting to learn how to checkmate more efficiently.
I found the “frame” system very efficient as it encourages you to actively solve the problems- rather than analyse positions in traditional chess books
I don’t know if I’m a better player afterwards, but thanks bobby for the journey
I found the “frame” system very efficient as it encourages you to actively solve the problems- rather than analyse positions in traditional chess books
I don’t know if I’m a better player afterwards, but thanks bobby for the journey
July 3, 2011
This book is about the one thing Bobby Fisher undeniably knew well - chess (this review will not comment on his ideas on other subjects). It is an excellent tutorial for improvement, and will work for chess players at any level, or even those who have never played. Fisher's premise is that the object of the game is to achieve checkmate, therefore the most basic thing to learn is how to do so. For me, this was an excellent shift in perception - whereas before my game focused on immediate concerns like taking more pieces than my opponent or not losing my queen, after I had done these exercises, I was far more focused on the big picture. It may seem counterintuitive to learn the game from the end forward, but this really does work and will improve your game. Most of the book is made up of exercises which you can work on in the book, or set up your own chessboard and play along. Of all the books I have seen which claim to help you improve your game, this is far and away the most effective.
February 23, 2021
كتب الشطرنج فى طريقة وصفها للعبة و الخطط و التحركات تستخدم طريقتين فى كتابة الخطط...
الطريقة الجبرية "المنطقية" تصف اسم او رمز او رسمة القطعة و اسم المربع التى ستذهب اليه لو فارغ..او لو ستأسر او تاكل القطعة التى كانت فيه فيضاف الرمز X كناية عن اكل ما كان فيه
او الرمز + كناية عن كش ملك
او الرمز # كناية عن الكش مات "نهاية الدور"
..و هذه الطريقة هى الطريقة المتبعة فى اغلب كتب الشطرنج المكتوبة ب الانجليزية او المعربة من الانجليزية
وهى طريقة كتابة المعتمدة دوليا للعبة ...
و هناك الطريقة الوصفية و هى معقدة اكثر ..و هى المستخدمة فى الكتب الانجليزية "البريطانية" تحديدا ...
و هى طريقة معقدة سواء فى تسمية المربعات او تسمية القطع التى تحتل المربعات
فهناك حصان الملك
فيل الملك
و رخ"طابية" الملك
و مثلهم ل جناح الملكة "الوزير"
حصان الوزير
فيل الوزير
رخ الوزير
جمال الكتاب ها هنا ..كونه لا يعتمد على هذه الطريقة او تلك
و انما طريقة مرئية...رقعة فى وضع معين و يسألك بوبي فيشر - و خلال هذا يعلمك-
ماذا تعتقد هو احسن تصرف او احسن تحرك ؟
شاور إليه بسهم او خط ... "هكذا فقط " لا كتابة للغة الشطرنج المعقدة على الاطفال
الكتاب يتدرج معك منذ كيفية تحريك كل قطعة من قطع جيش الشطرنج مرورا ب كيف "تكش" ملك الخصم مرورا ب تكتيكات اعقد بالتدريج
على موقع lichess.org
حديثا يمكنك القيام بكل تلك التدريبات بطريقة interactive
تفاعلية
و هما ما حبذه ابنى "أحمد" ..و كانه يلعب فيديو جيم ...اكثر من جلوسه اضطرارا اما الكتاب و انا ادرسه معه و ادرّسه له
الكتاب ممتاز ..فى اسلوب شرحه و تعليمه للقارىء ....ما يعيب الكتاب غلطات مطبعية فى بعض الامثلة و المسائل... تجعل قطع فى غير موضعها مما يجعل القارىء يختار اختيار خاطىء ..كأن تجد وزيرين "ملكتين" ابيض على الرقعة ..بالطبع احدهما وزير او "ملكة" سوداء ...و لكنها غلطة مطبعية
الكتاب القادم : Chess
الطريقة الجبرية "المنطقية" تصف اسم او رمز او رسمة القطعة و اسم المربع التى ستذهب اليه لو فارغ..او لو ستأسر او تاكل القطعة التى كانت فيه فيضاف الرمز X كناية عن اكل ما كان فيه
او الرمز + كناية عن كش ملك
او الرمز # كناية عن الكش مات "نهاية الدور"
..و هذه الطريقة هى الطريقة المتبعة فى اغلب كتب الشطرنج المكتوبة ب الانجليزية او المعربة من الانجليزية
وهى طريقة كتابة المعتمدة دوليا للعبة ...
و هناك الطريقة الوصفية و هى معقدة اكثر ..و هى المستخدمة فى الكتب الانجليزية "البريطانية" تحديدا ...
و هى طريقة معقدة سواء فى تسمية المربعات او تسمية القطع التى تحتل المربعات
فهناك حصان الملك
فيل الملك
و رخ"طابية" الملك
و مثلهم ل جناح الملكة "الوزير"
حصان الوزير
فيل الوزير
رخ الوزير
جمال الكتاب ها هنا ..كونه لا يعتمد على هذه الطريقة او تلك
و انما طريقة مرئية...رقعة فى وضع معين و يسألك بوبي فيشر - و خلال هذا يعلمك-
ماذا تعتقد هو احسن تصرف او احسن تحرك ؟
شاور إليه بسهم او خط ... "هكذا فقط " لا كتابة للغة الشطرنج المعقدة على الاطفال
الكتاب يتدرج معك منذ كيفية تحريك كل قطعة من قطع جيش الشطرنج مرورا ب كيف "تكش" ملك الخصم مرورا ب تكتيكات اعقد بالتدريج
على موقع lichess.org
حديثا يمكنك القيام بكل تلك التدريبات بطريقة interactive
تفاعلية
و هما ما حبذه ابنى "أحمد" ..و كانه يلعب فيديو جيم ...اكثر من جلوسه اضطرارا اما الكتاب و انا ادرسه معه و ادرّسه له
الكتاب ممتاز ..فى اسلوب شرحه و تعليمه للقارىء ....ما يعيب الكتاب غلطات مطبعية فى بعض الامثلة و المسائل... تجعل قطع فى غير موضعها مما يجعل القارىء يختار اختيار خاطىء ..كأن تجد وزيرين "ملكتين" ابيض على الرقعة ..بالطبع احدهما وزير او "ملكة" سوداء ...و لكنها غلطة مطبعية
الكتاب القادم : Chess
January 4, 2023
My youngest regularly destroys me at chess. For every one game I win, he wins 15. I decided to “give” him this book for Christmas, and then proceeded to grab it and read it cover to cover (to upside down cover to upside down cover - I’ll explain in a moment) in the hopes of unleashing a few Bobby Fischer-esque attacks on him. Mwahahaha….
This isn’t really a book. It’s more like a series of puzzles where the pieces are set in time and you have to decide the next move that will result - or soon result - in mate. After deciding the move, you then flip the page to see what Bobby thinks or does. At the end of the book, you turn it upside down and read the pages back in the other direction. That’s a cool idea for a book, but the sad fact is, after finishing the course, I’m probably a little better at spotting attacks or sensing potential danger, but I’m still getting abused on the chess board by the kid.
The problem I think is that chess is so much more than just deciding the next move on a board set in time. Much better, I think, to learn some openings and some middle play that helps get you to this moment with an opportunity to mate - or soon mate - with the next move.
I have just the book for that, I think. Another present I got my son is a book analyzing every move (1800 in all!) in the so-called “Match of the Century” - the 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland. It should really be called “Matches of the Century” because it lasted 21 games over nearly two months. Mwahahahah-hah!
If that doesn’t work, maybe I’ll just buy my son a Parcheesi set.
This isn’t really a book. It’s more like a series of puzzles where the pieces are set in time and you have to decide the next move that will result - or soon result - in mate. After deciding the move, you then flip the page to see what Bobby thinks or does. At the end of the book, you turn it upside down and read the pages back in the other direction. That’s a cool idea for a book, but the sad fact is, after finishing the course, I’m probably a little better at spotting attacks or sensing potential danger, but I’m still getting abused on the chess board by the kid.
The problem I think is that chess is so much more than just deciding the next move on a board set in time. Much better, I think, to learn some openings and some middle play that helps get you to this moment with an opportunity to mate - or soon mate - with the next move.
I have just the book for that, I think. Another present I got my son is a book analyzing every move (1800 in all!) in the so-called “Match of the Century” - the 1972 World Chess Championship between Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky in Reykjavik, Iceland. It should really be called “Matches of the Century” because it lasted 21 games over nearly two months. Mwahahahah-hah!
If that doesn’t work, maybe I’ll just buy my son a Parcheesi set.
April 28, 2021
Following the most lengthy description of the game and its rules that I’ve ever read, the book skips straight to checkmate and keeps that laser-focused the rest of the way. So it’s not really teaching chess, but checkmate. Not openings, not end game tactics... Just checkmate. But once you get past the misleading title, the book does a decent job of teaching many methods of checkmate — usually on the back rank, but also sometimes on the side.
(I published a longer review on my website.)
February 13, 2023
The structure of this chess book is very engaging and makes it fun to solve the problems. Every time you find the answer and turn the page to see that it is correct feels great. The content is limited though, only some (fairly basic) checkmating patterns are discussed, with the addition of a few defense techniques. For a more comprehensive introduction to chess, I would have added something about opening theory and maybe some middlegame advice. Nevertheless, I would certainly recommend the book to beginners in chess, as one can learn a lot about how to look for mates.
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