About this title: Written by an international chess master, this book includes information for both novice and expert, including more than 400 illustrated chessboards and detailed answer key notes.
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Description: Acceptable. Former Library book. Shows definite wear, and perhaps considerable marking on inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Very Good. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Alpha
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9781592573165ISBN:1592573169
Description: New. New book small to none shelf wear. May have small remainder mark A brand-new, unused, unread copy in perfect condiion. ******PLEASE NOTE****** Orders placed after Dec. 7 cannot be guaranteed delivery before Christmas unless you select EXPEDITED shipping! Thank you & Happy Holidays! read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Alpha Books
Date Published: 2005-05-01
ISBN-13:9781592573165ISBN:1592573169
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9781592573165. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Alpha
Date Published: 2005
ISBN-13:9781592573165ISBN:1592573169
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Description: New. Written by an international chess master, this book includes information for both novice and expert, including more than 400 illustrated chessboards and detailed answer key notes. read more
Description: Good. 1592573169 Good condition. May have some markings & or shelfwear. All pages intact. Used items may not include extras such as infotrac, CD or other web access codes. read more
Description: New. Written by an international chess master, this book includes information for both novice and expert, including more than 400 illustrated chessboards and detailed answer key notes. ISBN10: 1592573169. read more
"This book has some great strategies for both offense and defense as well as plenty of puzzles for one to solve to better understand each concept. I play and see chess differently after reading this book so it has served its purpose."
"Yeah yeah, I know this is one of those Idiot's Guide books. But I heard it was good so i decided to peep it, and was pleasantly surprised at the quality of it. Skip the first 3 or 4 chapters if you already know the rules, but after that it gets into the good stuff, and by the end you'll finally understand what 'damaging the pawn structure' or 'winning material' means. And a few friends have commented on the improvements in my game :)"
A game that I, sadly, haven't really touched since high school.
I had played the game in middle school and high school. At least, by 'played' I mean I understood how the pieces moved and the objective of the game. And I could beat anyone I knew at it, but I didn't ever get any deeper than that. No real tactics, no strategy, no real understanding of the game. I only won because everyone else sucked so much worse than I did.
I stopped playing mostly because of that. What I should have done is got some books and started reading and really understanding the game, but I didn't.
Fast forward today.
I started getting interested in the game again for a couple of reasons. I have been trying to improve myself, to keep myself mentally fit and progressing. You are either moving forwards or backwards. I'm trying to move forward.
It's an excellent book. At least, to my untrained eye and limited knowledge of Chess books in general. It covers the basics very well and gets the reader acquainted with the deeper aspects of Chess. The author is a grandmaster, 2 time U.S. Champion and has been teaching for years. All that experience pays off for the reader.
Wolff explains the principles, illuminates them with examples, then gives the reader a number of problems at the end of the chapter to work through, with answers in the back of the book, to cement the ideas. I really liked the teaching method. Some of the problems were ones he created, some from games he played, and others from great games of the past.
Chess is complex but I didn't realize just how complex it can be until I read this book. Although I claim some previous experience, I now realize I am just an abecedarian at this point, green and unschooled.
Chess isn't for everyone, there is a certain aesthetic about the game that not all will enjoy, even if they posses the needed brain power to play it.
Chess, to me, is beautiful. A well played move strikes a deep cord in me, giving me a thrill. Wolff's problems had number of these types of moves, where after I stared at the board and looked at everything I could see, I checked the answer and got that thrill when the grandmaster made a move that was perfect.
Chess tactics enthrall me, and solid strategies intrigue me. Chess has captured my interest. (Er, no pun intended. Really.)
So now I'm going to get more books and really start improving my game. I doubt I'll get into the tournament aspect, but if I can play a solid game against a computer, I'd feel like I have good handle on it.
I have long ways to go yet, but the longest journey begins with a single step. Or, this case, a single Pawn push.
If you have any interest in Chess at all, I don't think you can go wrong with this book."
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