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Chess for Children

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A new interactive Kindle edition of the internationally best-selling chess book for children.Every chess diagram in the book links to an interactive analysis board where you can play out the moves from the book and try out other ideas of your own – and much more.“the book is well thought out and can be enjoyed by kids as young as 5.” – Grandmaster Lubosh Kavalek, Washington PostHow to play the world's most popular board gameWith this charming book, children will delight in learning the basic moves of chess – the most popular and challenging strategy game of all. All the rules of chess are clearly explained, step by step, assuming no prior knowledge. The lessons are reinforced by the inventive tales that George is told by his pet alligator Kirsty, self-proclaimed Grand Alligator of chess.Chess is recognized in many countries as a useful tool for developing creative thinking in children. Although chess can be regarded as a rather complex and mysterious game, the rules themselves are straightforward. It doesn't take long to learn how the pieces move, and even children as young as five can enjoy exciting games. They will also thoroughly enjoy outwitting friends and relatives!“Chess For Children is attractively produced and user friendly for kids. The diagrams are large and clear and there are cartoons throughout the book that reinforce the subject matter. ... It's a perfect book for younger ones to work on with their parents.” – US Team Captain John DonaldsonMurray Chandler gained the chess Grandmaster title by winning events in New York and Amsterdam. During 28 years as a professional player, he has taken part in over 150 international tournaments, in 32 different countries. His previous books include the best-selling How to Beat Your Dad at Chess and Chess Tactics for Kids. Dr Helen Milligan is a World Chess Federation woman master, and a former British Ladies Champion. She has represented Scotland in ten Chess Olympiads, and New Zealand in two.“The best book of its type ever published” – Peter Connor, Chess Country“This is a kid-friendly book – a great way for kids to learn chess.” – Michael Stevenson, NZ Chess“I have seen countless books on chess aimed at youngsters over the years, but this is probably the nicest introduction I have ever seen” – Alan Sutton, En Passant

460 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2004

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Murray Chandler

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5 stars
111 (45%)
4 stars
73 (29%)
3 stars
49 (20%)
2 stars
10 (4%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
Profile Image for Fernando Fernandes.
130 reviews8 followers
October 26, 2020
TL/DR; Okay book on teaching chess basics for kids (I used it with my 4 years old daughter; she already knew all the basic moves so the book didn't help that much).

IMO, things like Chess for Kids app does the job (getting the basics) much much better.

So I guess the next step would be tactics and strategy, which the book kinda covers, but briefly: pin, skewer, forks, etc.

Yeah, I'm still lost on how to get her to the next level, I guess I'll be looking into Jeff Coakley books or get a paid subscription of the Chess for Kids app. 👀
19 reviews
November 15, 2016
This book is great! My son and I have gone through the book over the last 6 months and both of us have learned a lot about the game. I knew how to play chess before but I still learned a lot.
Profile Image for Sarah Melissa.
396 reviews1 follower
November 3, 2021
Teaches basic moves, useful too for adults like me who want to learn. George plays chess with his alligator. The game is not usually advertised for children under eight, and I would not give the book to my five year old nephew, but, as I say, I want to learn, or remember my basic knowledge. I have a chess board, so clearly I have had this unstated agenda for quite a while. Wellcare (my medicaid benefit) offers me the option of being in a chess club, and since I can't yet do things which require much mobility I think it is a good option. They say it keeps your mind agile, and since I will be going on medicare next February at the early age of 58, probably still dependent on a four wheel walker, I want something at least about me to be agile. It is also not unknown in our library system for senior citizens to play chess with children.
Profile Image for Esperanza Navas.
229 reviews4 followers
January 5, 2021
I bought it for my daughter, but I read it myself first 😋. Great book for those kids/adults with some chess knowledge or no knowledge at all. It goes through all basic and advance pieces movements, different openings (introduction level only) and mini questions/test for specific situation. Very well explain. Great present for future chess players.
Profile Image for B Zimp.
1,055 reviews5 followers
March 19, 2018
A very well laid out and helpful introduction to chess for children and adults. Includes lots of problems to work through and improve play.
38 reviews
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April 26, 2016
Chess for Children (2004) by Murray Chandler and Helen Milligan. Genre: "How-to." Chess for Children is an ideal "how-to" learn chess book for a younger reading audience. With this child-friendly book, young readers learn the basic moves of the challenging, yet engaging game of chess. The authors describe the rules of chess in a very well explained, step-by-step manner. While this a "how-to" book, it also has elements of a picture book. Along with each section, there are short snippets of a story and illustrations that depict the tales that George hears from his pet alligator Kirsty, the "Grand Alligator of chess." The illustrations complement the story and enhance the reader's learning process of the game. On that same note, the illustrations may deter some older children from giving this informative book a try. Target audience: ages 5-10.
3 reviews2 followers
April 6, 2015
This was a very charming and clear book. The illustrations are adorable, though the captions seem to be forcing their connection to ideas in the section a little too much, or rather, the pictures don't have anything to do with the subject. But I liked them anyway. This is a great book for introducing novices to chess without overwhelming them with strategy or obfuscating language, whatever their age.
Profile Image for Raneem.
374 reviews11 followers
May 24, 2016
its an easy step by step book to help your child learn how to play chess, and in my case helped me to understand chess.... I loved the illustrations and found the tests after each chapter very helpful to grap the idea
1 review
May 28, 2013
My son and I both loved it. The writing is clear and interesting, the illustrations are wonderful. Great intro book for kids.
Profile Image for AC.
2,220 reviews
August 3, 2013
First, a correction - this book is actually 112 pages, not the 107 that some anonymous librarian (kindly) corrected it to last week.

A great introduction for very young chess learners.
Profile Image for Andrea.
76 reviews5 followers
January 26, 2017
Excelent. Not only for children. Each topic very clearly explained.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews

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