The Kids' Book of Chess

by Harvey Game, Harvey Kidder, Kimberly Bulcken Root

A direct, lively introduction to the game that's inspired passion and challenge for over 900 years -- for kids ages 8-12. Everything a child needs to learn how to play chess, hone your skills, and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• ISBN: B004AZD3IW
• Release Date: January 1990
• Publisher: Workman Publishing Company, Incorporated
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

good

This is a pretty good book for beginners, especially if you're a kid. I was about six or seven when I got this and first learned to play, but it was not until I was eight or nine that I really started being able to play well enough to put up a fight against my dad(who repeatedly conquers me, though I don't go down easily). I think if you're over eleven, you'll probably want something more advanced. However, it's a good start, and it's how I learned to play. Just beware, everyone: I might be a chess master in the making. When we got out of the car and brought it into the house, my dad still had to do one or two things. While he was doing them, I told my sister I was, "just going to set them up however, and then really do it when dad shows me how and when I read the book". Remember, I had never played before. I set them up. Eerriely, when I checked it with the book, I found that I had set all sixteen pieces up in their correct places. Grandmasters, here I come! Overall, it is a good book. Try it!

Excellent for kids and adults...

This was an excellent first book on the game of chess. A friend gave it to us and my 8-year old son and I read it together one evening and were playing chess that same night. If you've ever wanted a simple book on how to play chess (for kids and adults) this is it.

A Perfect Chess Primer For Children and Adults.

This magnificent and visually stimulating chess set contains a 96-page beautifully illustrated book, chess pieces and a custom chess board.The book begins with a fascinating, detailed description of the history of the game and how it derived from medieval times. It is incredibly detailed and exquisitely written. Although I am not particularly a fan of medieval or military history, I found this section to be most engaging, and it certainly helped deepen my love and appreciation for the game. A basic example -- We learn that in medieval times the pawns were the serfs, the poor laborers, the foot soldiers and as in any society there were usually more of them than anyone else. If we were to imagine them in real life they would be traveling on foot and "carrying a long spear called a pike. On the battlefield he was known as a pikeman. Pikemen also carried shields, which they held directly in front of them for protection. This meant that they had to point their pikes to either side of the shield. Similarly, because of his shield, a Chess pawn is unable to strike directly in front of him. He can attack only on the diagonal." When presented with details in this manner you come away with a better understanding of why certain rules exist in the game.The second chapter is an introduction to the chessboard itself. The only thing missing here (and it is a very important omission) is a discussion of rank and file. Subsequent chapters over each piece in depth; its significance in relation to the other pieces on the board and how it moves. Towards the end are chapters explaining how to play the game, (accompanied by interesting military history tidbits highlighted in boxes throughout), and basic play strategies (and I mean BASIC in every sense of he word. If you are looking for a more involved strategy-oriented text, then definitely consider buying Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess). This book does a nice job of covering all the basic elements of the game in an entertaining manner. Your student will come away with a comprehensive understanding of, and appreciation for, the oldest war game of all. Five stars. An absolute must for every budding and experienced chess enthusiast.

Let's get this back in print!

The reader comments below are on-target, especially the one from North Dakota. I found this book at a local bookstore, sale priced with a plastic chess set and board. My 8 year old son took an immediate interest, and was fascinated with setting up the strategies described in the book with aid of the set. This book not only instructs well, it has the equally important quality of inspiring interest to learn the game. I do hope the publisher will bring it out in another printing if it is currently out of print. Kids deserve this kind of reading!

This book makes chess fascinating and easy to learn.

Harvey Kidder's Kids' Book of Chess is a treat for grown ups and kids alike. Kidder describes in vivid detail the history of "the oldest and greatest skill game ever invented." He brings the pieces of the game to life with rich characterizations of the types of people and institutions they were meant to represent. Beautiful illustrations portray queens, kings, knights, and castles. Diagrams illustrate positioning of the pieces and how they move. In the "How to Play" section, Kidder gets the reader off to a running start by explaining the Blitzkrieg, then moves into greater detail in describing the basic strategy of the game from beginning to end. The book is easy to follow, and the sections make sense standing alone. It's fascinating and fun reading, even if you don't play chess and a wonderful introduction to a classic game.