Chess Player's Bible

This is exactly what I've been looking for! I learnt how to play 30 years ago but have never progressed much beyond knowing what the pieces do and a very basic understanding of which are stronger and why. The book is really well presented, a hardback in the form of a ring binder so you can leave it open while practicing without any damage to the spine. Rather than just giving lists of moves with brief analysis into if they were good or bad, this gives you some real insight into why each move is made. There are loads of clear diagrams with good and full explanations of openings, middle and end games, the latter giving examples when you only have certain pieces left etc. Some general strategy and tactics, explanation of open and closed games (I'd read this but didn't really understand what it meant) and it's also suitable for an absolute beginner as it covers the rules, set up etc. Highly recommend for anyone from beginners to intermediate players. Edit: some non-book stuff - delivery, it said it would be dispatched in 1-3 weeks but arrived in 3 days. Price dropped 20% the day after I bought it (ouch) so worth biding your time if you don't urgently need it.

I played chess when I was kid at school, but all I really knew was how to move the pieces. I didn’t really know anything about tactics and strategy, but that didn’t matter as the friends I played against were in the same boat. After I left school I didn’t play chess again. Fast forward a few decades and I have thaken the game up again. This time I want to know how to really play the game. I purchased a chess board and about half a dozen chess guide books of varying levels and subjects. This book is one of my favourites. What I love about it is its simplicity. Some “beginners” chess books are full of pages of text which can be quite daunting. But this book is something different. The amount of text is kept to a minimum and this really helps. In fact, the page with the most text on it is the introduction. It’s small, almost A5, in dimensions and has many simple diagrams accompanied with simple explanations that really do help the complete novice, and, indeed, the morte experieneced. The book assumes you know nothign about the game and so the first part teaches the basics: the board, the peices, how they move, their value etc. Then it goes on to teach you various ways to start the game (openings), and gives a very simple lesson on tactics. It also teaches you about the middle game, and how to stay ahead, finishing with the end game. The quality of the book itself is superb: glossy, colourful thick pages, and has a ring bind effect so that you can have the book easily open beside you. I really do recommend this book, especially if you are a beginner.

This is a really good book for my 10 yo son who started learning chess at school. The layout is really handy with the sphere page format (so it lays fully flat). The description on strategie is easy to read thanks to the additional pictures. The only cons, for some reason 2 pages had the bottoms of theme ripped off. Not sure if it was a handling issue at the factory or the production process going wrong. Overall, I would recommend it

I liked the spiral bound used on the hardback edition because you can open a page and study it. I found the 3d style illustrations excellent and easy to follow. If you are a beginner, novice or in the ELO 800 to 1200 range I think you would learn a lot from this book. All the information you need is there. It is a book aimed at teaching you to play chess better and if you work through it I do think it will improve your game. Don't expect much in the way of jokes, anecdotes or entertainment material this is a focussed learning aid and as this it excels. I really like it.

Wonderful 🌹

I’ve always wanted to learn chess but never had anyone to teach me and it seemed overwhelming to teach myself but in a week using this book and YouTube I’ve gone from knowing absolutely nothing about chess to now being able to win a few games against the computer. I’m by no means good but the progress made within such a short space of time has impressed me. The book itself is very handy being spiral bound and engaging with accessible language and puzzles on each section. The book covers every part of the game and although it may not go really in depth into each section, it’s enough to get you going. I would highly recommend this book to anyone of any age who is looking to start their chess journey.

Ordered hardback version, which is actually a helpful ring-binder book. I am new to chess. Easy to read and grasp the various strategies. Lots of top-tips. As a visual learner, I bought this book for the style of diagrams and layout. You can dip in-and-out. No need to read the pages in order. Great for most age groups. Very pleased

Great paper quality and print. But I find interpreting the straightforward 2D renderings in other books far easier. In 2 minds about the Pros/Cons of the ring binding. Looks pretty informative though on a first skim through. Not overly enamoured with the book on closer inspection. Things like P99 Rook and Bishop. 1) it only shows a partial board setup. 2) It's not mate - Black move 3 would not be g8-h8, but g8-f7 defending the pawn again. The bishop is unprotected so can't take Black Pawn on f6 without being captured. Stick to Levy Rosman's How to win at Chess. Also with Levy's book there's more chess diagrams and not such a string of moves that force you to spin up a chess computer or get the chess board out to follow along.

Ik vind de 3d schaakborden onoverzichtelijk. En door de ringband bladert het boek niet fijn. Ik raad chess for dummies aan als een goed basisboek.

This was a gift for a chess mad man who has read it cover to cover several times

Great classic book, I feel like Beth Harmon on The Queen's Gambit! Thank you.

Good basic book to fall back on. Strategies etc. Pleasing layout. Especially good if teaching someone to play.

I found that this book gets right to the meat of things and shows you how to be a better player. Other books tend to get lost but this shows you in easy steps the fun of playing chess. great for kids and those of us that just need some pictures to understand.