Guide to Good Chess

by C.J.S. Purdy

Purdy fills you in on the details, explains the whys, and makes it easier for you to improve—to be a very good player without large amounts of memorization. Even the elementary principles which begin this book have points not seen in other works of this type. His language is a bit unusual, making it easier to remember such things as "biffing the Bishop." He covers all three phases of a the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. Lastly, a complete game is dissected for the purpose of showing how Purdy's Rules are used effectively. The best beginner's book on chess you will ever read.

Genres: Chess, Games

140 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2001

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aimed at the beginner sub-1400 player, and manages to cram an amazing amount of good information into a small space. First chess book I've read where I've been compelled to take notes. I'll be going over this one for a while until I get beyond its scope. There are guidelines and maxims in here I hadn't seen before.

I particularly liked the summary of all italicized points listed in the back. While the context is missing for most, it's a handy reference.

[CrossOnline · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Guide to Good Chess” is a highly instructive chess primer that I would put up there with Patrick Wolff's “Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess” and Chernev's “Logical Chess Move by Move.” Purdy was the First World Correspondence Chess Champion and could have easily drowned the reader with deep analysis. However, this was not his intention. Purdy formed his own concrete ideas on how chess should be learned. How, with minimal memorization, a player can use elementary chess principles to become a Practical Chess Player. In this book, Purdy addresses all three phases of the game: the opening, the middlegame, and the endgame. Purdy does not burden his reader with walls of analysis but teaches concepts like “Biffing a Bishop, When to trade pieces, What to do when your piece is attacked and typical best squares for pieces to develop to... ect.”
To sum up, if you want a lighter instructive chess book instead of spewed engine jargon then this book will fit the bill. What rating range? I will say <1400 elo would benefit the most.

[Neil Limbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although written in 1950 (I just read the 6th edition, 1961), it is simply brilliant. In my opinion Purdy is the best ever instructional writer on chess for the average hobby or club player. It is a small book(95 pages) with a lot packed into it without seeming to overburden the reader. The book is “for all players from raw beginners to the fairly advanced”. The endgame section is my favourite. I look forward to reading it again!

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best chess book ever for beginner to whatever you would call my level. When I am playing badly, I just need to reread the relevant parts to get back on track.