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How to be a Winner at Chess
Read This Book And Learn How To Enjoy One Of The Most Fascinating Games In The World
How, to Be a Winner at Chess is the result of twenty years' experience and and it is something unique in chess books -- an amusing, easily read, and even more easily understood book for the vast majority of "in-between" players, those who have been checkmated too many times or who have been bogged down in the innumerable rules of various experts.
Fred Reinfeld gives you twelve basic, simple rules for winning play. All the types of checkmates, the relative importance of the chess pieces, and simple, effective strategies are discussed succinctly. And there are three important chapters on the three strongest moves -- the check, the capturing threat, and the pawn promotion. Reinfeld always emphasizes practice over theory; he gives you the rules and demonstrates exactly how you should use them.
For those who don't know the rules or who might have forgotten them, there is a chapter with all the basic rules and moves, and a brief resume of the system of chess notation.
How, to Be a Winner at Chess is the result of twenty years' experience and and it is something unique in chess books -- an amusing, easily read, and even more easily understood book for the vast majority of "in-between" players, those who have been checkmated too many times or who have been bogged down in the innumerable rules of various experts.
Fred Reinfeld gives you twelve basic, simple rules for winning play. All the types of checkmates, the relative importance of the chess pieces, and simple, effective strategies are discussed succinctly. And there are three important chapters on the three strongest moves -- the check, the capturing threat, and the pawn promotion. Reinfeld always emphasizes practice over theory; he gives you the rules and demonstrates exactly how you should use them.
For those who don't know the rules or who might have forgotten them, there is a chapter with all the basic rules and moves, and a brief resume of the system of chess notation.
192 pages, Paperback
First published June 12, 1978
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
July 15, 2017
This is a very basic primer on the simple concepts of chess: opening moves, the middle game, and the endgame; positioning; and pinning, trading, and checking. It assumes you know the moves that each piece makes (although there is an appendix that describes them) but assumes no expertise other than that.
Each section starts with a very simple list of recommendations, which are then elaborated on. For example, in the middle game:
My own recommendation would be to play out the examples on a real chess board, and even try to suss out the recommended moves before reading on.
Each section starts with a very simple list of recommendations, which are then elaborated on. For example, in the middle game:
Give your pieces mobility.
Make your pieces cooperate.
My own recommendation would be to play out the examples on a real chess board, and even try to suss out the recommended moves before reading on.
February 12, 2021
It was a nice little book that gave some good strategies for beginner to novice players about chess techniques. I had played chess before I read it, so some of the material wasn't new. I do recommend the book. It takes a surprising long time to read, especially if you study the diagrams. If you are new to to chess, read the last chapter first, which is the introduction to chess. Do the same thing if you do not understand chess notation.
February 13, 2021
This is an absolute classic. 101 diagrams that explain complex concepts in a simple manner. This book is not in depth variations of all chess concepts but a simple starting point to know what it takes to play the game. Suitable for 600-1000 rating levels. It’s in descriptive notation. I got it from my library. So, have no complaints.
February 2, 2018
This book will take your Chess to the next level if you are a beginner or light intermediate player. Rather than teaching tactics or strategies Reinfeld teaches you how a successful player thinks. I think all players will get something out of this book but it is written with beginners in mind.
December 19, 2020
Simple, understandable, impactful. My grandfather got this for me when I was around 10 years old and I finally got around to it. I think it will significantly improve my chess game.
March 15, 2021
Super helpful and entertaining to read. I can definitely say I'm more frequently a "winner in chess" now thanks to Fred's lessons.
March 31, 2023
How to Be a Winner at Chess, Fred Reinfeld, 1954, 189 pages, ISBN 144991206X, Dewey 794.1
Shows where we're headed when we go beyond the basics.
Three strongest moves: checks, capturing threats, pawn promotion.
Opening principles.
Mobility and piece cooperation in the middle game.
Endgames: elementary checkmates, active king, passed pawns, rook on seventh rank, simplify when you have a material advantage.
Pins.
Shows where we're headed when we go beyond the basics.
Three strongest moves: checks, capturing threats, pawn promotion.
Opening principles.
Mobility and piece cooperation in the middle game.
Endgames: elementary checkmates, active king, passed pawns, rook on seventh rank, simplify when you have a material advantage.
Pins.
Vidmar was a great cigar smoker, but he abstained in deference to Nimzovich's well-known hatred for smoking. However, Vidmar could not resist teasing Nimzovich by setting out his cigar case on the chess table. Nimzovich eyed the cigars nervously for hours. Finally he could no longer restrain himself and rushed off with his complaint to the tournament director. After listening patiently to Nimzovich, the official was baffled.
"But you admit he hasn't smoked, so what are you complaining about?"
"True," Nimzovich replied, wringing his hands; "but he THREATENS to smoke, and you know with us chess players the threat is stronger than the fulfillment!" pp. 149-150.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews