Complete Chess Course: From Beginning to Winning Chess--a Comprehensive Yet Simplified Home-Study Chess Course. Eight Books in One

by Fred Reinfeld

Combining eight volumes into one, the most comprehensive book on chess ever published. From opening gambit to endgame, this home-study chess course is the classic in the field.

Illustrated throughout.

Genres: Chess, Games, Nonfiction, Reference

704 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1953

Reviews

[zed]

I am crap at chess. I spent a lot of money on books that I thought would at least make me competitive. Nothing worked. I think these chess books will all sit in a box gathering dust and one day I might get the urge to rejoin the local club and get butchered by 12 year olds so then may have a further look. (Generic review for all half finished chess books I will never finish)

[Mike Davis]

Fred Reinfeld was a master but more well known for his many books on learning chess for lower level players. The Complete Chess Course is a 1953 copyright, republished many times, so it is a bit dated in theory. Nevertheless, it is delivers what it promises - an essentially complete basic coverage of the game from moves to an overview of popular openings.

There are some downsides. With today's computerization and universal international use of algebraic notation, the older English descriptive notation (i.e. P-K4 in place of e4) remains and dates this work. It is not so much an issue with older players who own older books or who learned this older notation, but it is a red flag for those who may wish to continue on in the study of chess using the current algebraic notation. So as a single volume book on chess for beginners, it is excellent. As a stepping stone to newer study, it poses some minor problems. Reinfeld died in 1964 so a revised edition is unlikely in the competitive chess book market.

One could also criticize it for a couple of notational errors which have never been corrected in the reprints, or for the fact that it was written long before computer analysis was used to examine popular lines in openings. It is, in the final review, a masterful work that has stood the test of time, but is showing its age.

[Gerard Milewski]

Having only read one other chess book ever ("Bobby Fischer teaches Chess"), this book alone transformed me from an average player at a small club to a tournament challenger. Than should be all of the praise that a chess book would ever need.

[DW]

Covers every topic you can imagine. Learned a lot, but a lot went over my head. Thinking through entire games via chess notation is still difficult for me to visualize. I'll get there.

This is a book I'll return to when I am a more mature player, but I made lots of notes about the fundamentals. I think I am a slightly better player for it.

[Nick]

This is unreadable because he doesn't use standard algebraic notation. He uses a form of notation I've never even seen before and makes absolutely no sense. Maybe someone who has played longer, or who didn't learn using the internet and modern stuff might get something out of this, but I couldn't. I had to give up far quicker than I would have liked.

[Brandon]

My first, and one of my favorite chess books. Not a book for high-level players, but excellent for low to mid-range. A lot of things I've learned in it have helped me more than what is in the more advanced books recommended by top-level players.

[Travis]

This is a very good chess book! There is an ample amount of game examples that are great exercises to study. I wanted to learn more about the game and feel this book has helped me with all aspects of my game. Openings, middle game and endings are thoroughly explained in this book.

[Lance]

Bought at a swap-meet ages ago, I lent it to a friend and didn't get it back for about 15 years. A good intro to the game.

[Pat Dugan]

Of the thousands of Chess books on the market, this still ranks as one of my favorites. It was one of the FIRST books on Chess that I devoured and I still have my original, pristine copy.

[Jim]

The book that taught me how to play chess, back when I was in second grade. It was my Dad's copy, but I think I got more out of it than he did! Very helpful for beginning players.

[Kate]

I got through the "what not to do" section, and played some very interesting games along the way. Someday I'll pick it up again at the "what to do section."

[Fredrick Danysh]

A examination of the game of chess and a discussion of the different strategies necessary to be a winner in this game of intellect.

[Serge Pierro]

A good book for beginners. Covers a lot of different material for someone interested in becoming a chess player.

[John]

My first taste of sin.

[Richard]

'Mind blowing'...

[S07]

It is good book.