The Batsford Book of Chess for Children

by Sabrina Chevannes

Chess is great for developing a child's analytical skills, fostering the competitive instinct—and having fun. Nothing beats this cute, character-based guide for teaching youngsters how to play. Jess and Jamie—two rough-and-tumble, chess-obsessed kids—explain it what the pieces are and how they move; the opening, middlegame, and endgame; checkmate; and sneaky tricks that win. The book's friendly, entertaining, and essential to any child's bookshelf.

Genres: Chess, Games, Nonfiction, Childrens, Mathematics

128 pages, Hardcover

First published August 14, 2013

Reviews

[Reynard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Premessa: a breve terrò un corso di scacchi per bambini delle elementari/medie e ho preso questo libro per avere qualche spunto sul metodo didattico da seguire (perché insegnare ai bambini è molto più difficile che farlo con gli adulti).

Venendo al libro, è semplicemente perfetto per il pubblico a cui è rivolto! Spiega in modo semplice e chiaro ma, soprattutto, tiene sempre viva l'attenzione del piccolo lettore. Inoltre ha un altro grandissimo pregio: introduce dei mini-giochi di scacchi con regole semplificate che avvicinano subito il principiante al gioco, anche senza sapere tutte le regole. Avrei voluto avere anch'io un libro così quando ero piccolo! Ulteriore nota di merito le bellissime illustrazioni e la carta patinata che aggiungono anche il piacere della carta da toccare e sfogliare. Il mio voto: 4 stelle.

[Sarah]

Ik ga deze niet beoordelen want ik heb slecht ruimtelijk inzicht dus snap nog steeds niets van schaken!! Ik geef niet op, misschien als ik wat verder ben dat ik weer de hulp van Guusje en Jesse inschakel. Ik heb inmiddels ook een app. Dit boek leek in ieder geval begrijpelijk maar ik moet denk ik gewoon doen! Dit jaar leer ik schaken✨

[Helen Cazadora De Libros · Rating 5 out of 5]

"El Libro De Ajedrez Para Niños" es un magnífico manual creado por Sabrina Chevannes para la Editorial Blume. Sus páginas están llenas de magia, pero también desprenden una aroma de verde fresco que no sé si es debido a la hoja o a la tinta...pero da gloria.
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Como dice el título, esto va de aprender Ajedrez, está enfocado a niñ@s, pero yo, que me siento como tal, ahí voy, con mucha ilusión, a aprender a jugar y no limitarme a "mover las piezas".
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Jess y Jamie nos enseñan lo básico para ser un jugador decente. Su objetivo no es convertirnos en profesionales, sino enseñarnos a jugar con deportividad y conocimiento de causa.
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Nos muestran cada pieza, una a una, sus movimientos, su valor, y para que practiquemos, nos ofrecen juegos particulares que harán que veamos el tablero con otros ojos y muchas posibilidades.
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Está por ejemplo "la guerra de peones" o las "torres belicosas", que son muy divertidos.
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También nos enseña el lenguaje ajedrecista, para que nos habituemos a eso de filas y columnas...y el uso del cronómetro, para que estemos preparados para cuando nos atrevamos a algún torneillo.
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Un dato curioso: antes de empezar una partida, hay que estrechar la mano del contrincante en señal de respeto y deportividad.
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Si no sabes jugar al Ajedrez, o sabes y quieres disfrutar de un buen libro sobre el juego....esta es una buena opción.
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[Vidya Tiru · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first got this book from NetGalley years ago when my kids were learning chess and hoped to keep them going with this and other books; but somehow it slipped through the cracks and we are here six years later. I recall enjoying the little I had read so decided to borrow a copy from the library (purely for review purposes since the kids have long since stopped playing chess- except when the moon is blue!) and did a quick read.

Here are my thoughts today:
Learning intricacies of complicated things - games like chess - become fun when we have books like this one!
The book uses a clever combination of concise conversation between endearing characters and colorful, clear illustrations to explain the basics of chess. Pieces, moves, and rules are all suddenly easier to remember!
Fun mini-games included every so often help reinforce the concepts learned by practice.
I loved that the author cleverly included historical facts and stories into this book; thereby making it a richer experience in the end.

This is a must-have book for your home and/or school library. A perfect giftable for those chess newbies - be it child or adult for all occasions.

[Maciej Walinski · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent way to teach children the fundamentals of chess so that they can begin to understand and enjoy the game in relatively short order. I like the choice to have everything explained by way of a dialogue by two chess loving kids because it makes following along simpler. The text never gets overly technical or confusing and there are of course illustrations throughout to ensure the concepts can be more easily grasped. There were a few minor errors I caught in the text and illustrations of the puzzle section, but nothing that detracts from the overall quality. As far as introductory books about chess for kids, I would say this should be considered a go to.

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

That didn't take long to get through, because it's rather simple, albeit full of chess terminology. This is an ideal introduction to the game, and I have acquired it for my small nephew, who is showing an affinity for such things. I do wish a resource such as this had been available to me as a child, for it is excellently presented, as a dialogue between two children, with plenty of illustrations. Four stars.

[Katie]

A fun book to help teach chess a game of complex thinking that children can benefit from and it is well told through characters and clever conversations. A book full of information about each piece on the chessboard and how it moves. It is important for students to have books that teach the new skills available in the classroom, to encourage them to learn new skills.

[Giulia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ottimo manuale per avvicinare i bambini agli scacchi. Colmo di giochi ed esercizi da fare con i singoli pezzi, indovinelli da risolvere e anche qualche semplice descrizione delle aperture più utilizzate.

Credo proprio che lo consumerò a forza di utilizzarlo.

Comunque sia sempre viva le Torri.

[Kathleen]

I used this to play a ton of smaller games with my son, like Pawn Hunt, to teach my son how to move the bishops or the rooks. Worked really well actually.

[Elif Scheller · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's good, it's pretty good and simple, thought me a lot of tips and tricks and a lot of unnecessary words

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely Perfect!
Chess is an easy game to teach young children if you make it fun! Ms. Chevannes knows how to create fun! First, she explains the game rules and pieces adding little bits of history into the mix. Next, you will have start playing with a game of pawns – what fun! Quickly your little ones are playing by themselves as you add in additional pieces. Educators will tell you that children who play chess often have higher math test scores – parents will tell you that children who play chess will have additional reasoning skills – both with agree that Chess can be fun and easy! We shared this book with some young chessmen that thoroughly enjoyed listening and learning! This is a must-have book for your family, school library and for holiday/birthday gifts! Written by an expert for a novice! Enjoy! NetGalley and Anova Books provided an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Suniru · Rating 5 out of 5]

My nine year old son loves chess. He is a better player than I am... In fact, he taught me how to play. I read Chess for Children cover to cover and can recommend it also for adults! 
The book is logically organized and easy to read. The illustrations compliment the text, are colorful and fun. I read certain chapters with my son and whether it was revision or something new he was engaged and interested. He is very excited to work on the puzzles in the last chapters.
Elements of the book I enjoyed also include:
Chapters on chess etiquette and tournaments
Clear explanations of classic maneuvers.
This is a very comprehensive educational book. Both my son and I really enjoyed it. The scope is perfect. I am very happy to have in on my "shelf" (ebook!) 

[Jo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although geared to children, this introduction to chess held the attention of at least one adult who doesn’t know how to play the game. The instructions are easy enough to understand, and children will enjoy the illustrations. I recommend this book.