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Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning
Sharpen your chess skills with winning tactics and strategies
The skill and strategy required to win at chess can feel intimidating, but Chess for Beginners breaks it down into manageable lessons to help new players up their game. Start with a rundown of the basic game mechanics, then explore clear and concise guidance for the strategies and tactics that will help you achieve consistent success.
Learn to position your pieces and coordinate your attack
A comprehensive overview—Find clear illustrations and directions that show you all the components of a chessboard, how each piece moves, and how to read chess notation.10 Powerful short-term tactics—Practice shorter sequences of chess moves—like deflections, sacrifices, and forks—that help you put your strategy in play and take control of the board.10 Essential long-game strategies—Learn how to activate your pieces, keep track of the whole board, think several moves ahead, go for a quick checkmate, and more.
From your first move to your last, Chess for Beginners shows you how to play a better game.
The skill and strategy required to win at chess can feel intimidating, but Chess for Beginners breaks it down into manageable lessons to help new players up their game. Start with a rundown of the basic game mechanics, then explore clear and concise guidance for the strategies and tactics that will help you achieve consistent success.
Learn to position your pieces and coordinate your attack
A comprehensive overview—Find clear illustrations and directions that show you all the components of a chessboard, how each piece moves, and how to read chess notation.10 Powerful short-term tactics—Practice shorter sequences of chess moves—like deflections, sacrifices, and forks—that help you put your strategy in play and take control of the board.10 Essential long-game strategies—Learn how to activate your pieces, keep track of the whole board, think several moves ahead, go for a quick checkmate, and more.
From your first move to your last, Chess for Beginners shows you how to play a better game.
- GenresReferenceChessNonfiction
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 27, 2018
796 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
June 27, 2021
If you are someone like me who is a beginner and recently got into chess, this is a great book to read. It doesn’t go into depth on many strategies, but shows common strategies to help you improve quickly. So, if you’ve been wanting to get into chess, this book is an excellent starting point.
March 14, 2021
Still can’t beat my husband, but as a new player it’s given me some great tips.
February 23, 2019
While the tactics laid out in this book were very helpful and the author obviously proficient, this book was lacking a good proofreading. I read the Kindle version (which I would not recommend because of the encumbrance of flipping between the diagrams and explanations on a small screen), but I assume the hard copy has the same problems that are listed below. First, there are numerous misnomers on the description of moves (e.g., "knight" instead of "rook" on 6.9 2nd move explanation, 7.5, others). This could be confusing for beginners who might think they're missing something. In addition, sometimes there is no break (carriage return) when a new example is being introduced. The new topic simply begins within the paragraph of the previous explanation (e.g., see the transition from 7.39 to 7.40). I would purchase this book again, but only in hard copy (so I could follow the explanations better and also mark up my edits), because it does have a lot of good information that helped me.
December 9, 2018
„Chess for Beginners“ by Yelizaveta Orlova is exactly what the title suggests it is.
Orlova starts by explaining the rules of chess in their entirety which is easy to understand and makes the rest of the book accessible for everyone. She explains the standard rules of the game as well as tournament rules with the exception of only the chess clock. The chess clock is not an essential part of the game but is used in every tournament format and most casual online platforms as well. On the other hand you do not need a chess book to explain the clocks, just look up chess clocks on the internet.
After the rules are thouroughly explored, Orlova goes on to show some elementary chess strategies as well as tactics. This part is really nice, since the book goes beyond the bare basics and talks about some more advanced positions. Yet again everything is very well explained and therefore easy to understand.
My only (rather personal) annoyance with the tactics section is that some puzzles have two answers. As a purist when it comes to chess puzzles I prefer puzzles that have one exact solution and one solution only. But since this book is for beginners and all correct answers to the puzzles are listed in the solutions, I have no right to complain.
Finally Orlova names some online as well as offline resources to help the reader make further steps into the world of chess. It is a book for beginners but not a book that needs you to stay a beginner. „Chess for Beginners“ is a gateway to have fun and improve at the game of chess, as it demonstrates the beauty of the game with the chosen examples very effectively and gives great advice to those who just started playing the game.
If you expect an exploration of opening theory or in-depth analysis of complex grandmaster games, this is not the book for you. However this is simply not the point of a book for beginners.
If you read this book I strongly recommend to read it with a digital board or (even better) a real chess set at hand, to follow the variations and the notation. And if you cant read chess notation yet, do not worry since notation is explained as well so nobody will have trouble to follow.
Overall „Chess for Beginners“ is a great introduction to the game of chess for those who have never played it before or are just getting started. It motivates the reader to keep playing and is very helpful to play with a plan instead of aimlessly making moves. If the title and description of the book get you at all interested, then I recommend you to read it.
Orlova starts by explaining the rules of chess in their entirety which is easy to understand and makes the rest of the book accessible for everyone. She explains the standard rules of the game as well as tournament rules with the exception of only the chess clock. The chess clock is not an essential part of the game but is used in every tournament format and most casual online platforms as well. On the other hand you do not need a chess book to explain the clocks, just look up chess clocks on the internet.
After the rules are thouroughly explored, Orlova goes on to show some elementary chess strategies as well as tactics. This part is really nice, since the book goes beyond the bare basics and talks about some more advanced positions. Yet again everything is very well explained and therefore easy to understand.
My only (rather personal) annoyance with the tactics section is that some puzzles have two answers. As a purist when it comes to chess puzzles I prefer puzzles that have one exact solution and one solution only. But since this book is for beginners and all correct answers to the puzzles are listed in the solutions, I have no right to complain.
Finally Orlova names some online as well as offline resources to help the reader make further steps into the world of chess. It is a book for beginners but not a book that needs you to stay a beginner. „Chess for Beginners“ is a gateway to have fun and improve at the game of chess, as it demonstrates the beauty of the game with the chosen examples very effectively and gives great advice to those who just started playing the game.
If you expect an exploration of opening theory or in-depth analysis of complex grandmaster games, this is not the book for you. However this is simply not the point of a book for beginners.
If you read this book I strongly recommend to read it with a digital board or (even better) a real chess set at hand, to follow the variations and the notation. And if you cant read chess notation yet, do not worry since notation is explained as well so nobody will have trouble to follow.
Overall „Chess for Beginners“ is a great introduction to the game of chess for those who have never played it before or are just getting started. It motivates the reader to keep playing and is very helpful to play with a plan instead of aimlessly making moves. If the title and description of the book get you at all interested, then I recommend you to read it.
January 5, 2019
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q90_ArksGaw
Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vtbr55
When I was in the tenth grade, everyone was learning how to play chess. I did not want to be left out, so I taught myself using the World Book Encyclopedia. It gave me the basics, but it did not teach me any strategy.
Once you buy Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning by Yelizaveta Orlova, you will not only know the basics, but you will learn some basic strategies for winning at chess.
There are a few problems with this book. The first problem is that the chess quotes included in the book are written in a light red which does not stand out very well from the background.
There appears to be a mistake in placing a heading on page 67. To me it appears that the bold words that say Diagram 6.13 should actually appear just over the heading Why Did Black Make This Move? instead of where it has been placed.
I really think that this book would be better if there were more step-by-step diagrams, rather than a few diagrams, to support the moves discussed.
Either way, before you start out you should have a good, basic chess set https://amzn.to/2LOP9Xf so that you can see the plays and move the pieces for each move.
You will not be a World Champion just by reading Chess for Beginners. Then again, that would be expecting too much from a book designed to teach you the basics.
Once you have your copy of this book, you will want to teach your children basic chess and then make the game a part of your family home evening.
We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.
We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vtbr55
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q90_ArksGaw
Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vtbr55
When I was in the tenth grade, everyone was learning how to play chess. I did not want to be left out, so I taught myself using the World Book Encyclopedia. It gave me the basics, but it did not teach me any strategy.
Once you buy Chess for Beginners: Know the Rules, Choose Your Strategy, and Start Winning by Yelizaveta Orlova, you will not only know the basics, but you will learn some basic strategies for winning at chess.
There are a few problems with this book. The first problem is that the chess quotes included in the book are written in a light red which does not stand out very well from the background.
There appears to be a mistake in placing a heading on page 67. To me it appears that the bold words that say Diagram 6.13 should actually appear just over the heading Why Did Black Make This Move? instead of where it has been placed.
I really think that this book would be better if there were more step-by-step diagrams, rather than a few diagrams, to support the moves discussed.
Either way, before you start out you should have a good, basic chess set https://amzn.to/2LOP9Xf so that you can see the plays and move the pieces for each move.
You will not be a World Champion just by reading Chess for Beginners. Then again, that would be expecting too much from a book designed to teach you the basics.
Once you have your copy of this book, you will want to teach your children basic chess and then make the game a part of your family home evening.
We were sent a complimentary copy of this book. We are under no obligation to write any review, positive or negative.
We are disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.
Notice: This post contains affiliate links. If you click a link and make a purchase, we may financially benefit from your transaction, at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support.
Manian Debil Productions is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Buy Now from Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Vtbr55
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Q90_ArksGaw
February 27, 2021
I’ve only started getting into chess after watching the Queen’s Gambit. I got fascinated by the moves, the intricacy of the game and the confidence that one gets after winning a chess match. I’ve searched online for the most direct and explanatory books online and Orlova’s book just popped out. It’s fairly straight forward with tactics and concepts easily explained and explored which makes sense: she’s a freaking chess master. I think the experience of reading through this book and exploring all the aspects of chess would be compounded if one had a chess board accompanying the reading of said book. However, not everyone would have the luxury of getting a board or disturbing their reading time to open their already existing chess board to visualise the moves and strategies. But overall, I would recommend this book for anyone who wants to get into the game and understand the basics of chess.
August 28, 2021
If you are an absolute beginner at chess and don't know what castling means this is for you.
Yelizaveta Orlova provides lots of explanations and holds your hand as you enter the world of chess. The book provides tons of clear diagrams explaining chess moves, tactics, and concepts.
I was psyched up to learn chess after watching the Queen's Gambit (just like everyone else). I started reading another book but it was way too advanced for me. This book was just right and helped me get my bearings in the world of chess.
Now on to my first game!
Yelizaveta Orlova provides lots of explanations and holds your hand as you enter the world of chess. The book provides tons of clear diagrams explaining chess moves, tactics, and concepts.
I was psyched up to learn chess after watching the Queen's Gambit (just like everyone else). I started reading another book but it was way too advanced for me. This book was just right and helped me get my bearings in the world of chess.
Now on to my first game!
January 19, 2022
It’s a fairly approachable book for beginners, with some good ways to remember basic strategies and tactics and some exercises and puzzles along the way. Based on other reviews I read, I skipped over the chapter about the history of chess - didn’t seem especially necessary to the book, and reviews indicated there were inaccuracies. I read the hard copy version, so proofreading wasn’t as much of an issue as it apparently is in the Kindle version, though formatting of some of the discussion around the diagrams did create some unnecessary confusion and ambiguities.
November 23, 2020
Great book that had helped to improve my chess game from beginner to low level intermediate. There are are many low level strategies for openings and attacks that are explained and illustrated to help beginners understand. The book, unfortunately, has a number of typoes and misnomers in explanations of game play moves which are confusing until you can think through what the author intended to show/say. Overall, it was a fun book and it helped me increase excitement for chess.
December 5, 2020
Solid introduction
MS Orlova covers the basic terms, rules and tactics in clear, straightforward, highly readable style. This short introduction includes move by move example boards of many situations the beginner will encounter. Each section includes quizes, with answers. This book is a keeper that the beginner can go to again and again, and always find a way to improve their game. Worthy. Plus, she's Canadian, therefore only mildly intimidating.
MS Orlova covers the basic terms, rules and tactics in clear, straightforward, highly readable style. This short introduction includes move by move example boards of many situations the beginner will encounter. Each section includes quizes, with answers. This book is a keeper that the beginner can go to again and again, and always find a way to improve their game. Worthy. Plus, she's Canadian, therefore only mildly intimidating.
May 25, 2020
Excellent book for beginners
I went through this book in a week and found it extremely helpful to understand chess basic for in a very clear way. The only flaw I found is not related to the content but with the Kindle formatting in the exercises where I several places the exercises were not properly separated and led to some confusion.
I went through this book in a week and found it extremely helpful to understand chess basic for in a very clear way. The only flaw I found is not related to the content but with the Kindle formatting in the exercises where I several places the exercises were not properly separated and led to some confusion.
December 31, 2021
A quick, easy way to learn chess by a grandmaster who plays socially. Liza, as she calls herself, is a champion, but she plays socially and enjoys teaching the game. Recommend keeping the book handy if you're interested. You won't get everything in the first pass, but it's a fast book to read and handy if you're near a chess board.
January 1, 2023
Fun little book about basic chess strategy and tactics. I’m not a beginner at chess per se but I still play like one, and this book gave me some insight on aspects of my game that need some work. My 2023 New Year’s Resolution is to get better at chess and I’m already off to a good start having read this book!
January 12, 2021
This is an awesome book for beginner chess players!! I learned so much from it and used it to practice my new skills online.
I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited so if anyone has KU and wants to learn the basics of Chess, it'd definitely recommend it.
I borrowed it from Kindle Unlimited so if anyone has KU and wants to learn the basics of Chess, it'd definitely recommend it.
November 27, 2018
Chess isn't an easy game to play, and you won't become a chess master overnight, but this book has some excellent tips that will easily put you from beginner status to one step below expert.
December 22, 2018
A Comprehensive Survey
Orlova presents her history as a chess master as well as excellent instruction on the basics and several strategies in the game of chess.
Orlova presents her history as a chess master as well as excellent instruction on the basics and several strategies in the game of chess.
February 10, 2020
Really wanted to like this book but just couldn’t get into it. Perhaps it was the teaching style. I’ll try the Bobby Fischer book.
May 5, 2020
Great book for beginners
November 6, 2020
Some useful tips, but so riddled with errors it was incredibly frustrating to get through.
January 22, 2021
a great book for beginners
great book! i enjoy it so much, thank you. any App recommendation? any puzzle book recommendation ? chess is fun!
great book! i enjoy it so much, thank you. any App recommendation? any puzzle book recommendation ? chess is fun!
January 26, 2023
Really informative! Great for beginners but will definitely need a second read to fully understand the strategies
April 30, 2021
Very helpful to a new time chess player. Was inspired by the movie THE QUEENS GAMMIT. Have not finished book yet but a real winner.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews