Starting Chess (First Skills)

List Price: $4.99 Discount Price: $1.81

Customer Reviews:

not really long enough [Posted on 2005-07-04]
If you are a beginner who wants to learn to play from a book then this book is ok, but it is really not long enough.
There are a lot of things to understand when you set out to play chess. It is more that learning how the pawns and all the the other pieces move, and how to set up the chessboard correctly. Though you don't have the learn them all, right at the start, it is important to have the reference information available in case you have questions.
My experience of learning to play chess is that beginners have a lot of basic questions, and that just thinking you can teach a few moves is not enough. Apart from that I though the book was quite good to read.

Just Ok - Nice Picture Book, but not great instruction [Posted on 2005-12-02]
This is a very nice book with pictures and diagrams. But the written part of it is very much in need to have more clear instruction. I was not all that happy when I got it for my birthday after reading it. Well, thats life.

The Basics of Chess in Color [Posted on 2006-01-11]
This is a colorful chess book with nice grapics and pictures. It teaches you the rules and some strategical things in chess. It is good for readers from about 9 to 12. Under age 9 I recommend "You can play chess" to learn piece movements.

Basic Rules with Basic Strategy [Posted on 2006-01-18]
This is a rather colorfull book that is aimed at introducing chess to the young beginner who has no knowledge of chess whatsoever. Beyond the rules, it provides very elementary strategy. For a player say ages 8 to 12 who doesn't plan on going much beyond just learning very elementary basics STARTING CHESS is suitable. The under 8 year old should consider getting YOU CAN PLAY CHESS to cover how the pieces move and basic rules (designed as a coloring book, it is very unique).

Short introduction to chess  [Posted on 2006-09-18]
"Starting Chess" is written at about a high school reading level and designed to give you a quick introduction to how the pieces move, elementary rules and a little bit of strategy to get you started.
The order of presentation is not the best in my opinion. I personally liked "Learn Chess: A complete course" a lot more for organization and the completness of the material necessary to make a beginner into a decent player. Even the junior chess guide for the beginner is far more complete. If you just want to learn how the pieces move and the very, very basics, then "Starting Chess" is satisfactory.

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