Chess for Children: How to Play the World's Most Popular Board Game

by Murray Chandler, Helen Milligan

A charming book that will teach children the intriguing game of chess.

Genres: Chess, Childrens, Games, Nonfiction, Education

112 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Fernando Fernandes · Rating 3 out of 5]

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. 👀

[Brian Pinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Sarah Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Esperanza Navas · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[B Zimp · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very well laid out and helpful introduction to chess for children and adults. Includes lots of problems to work through and improve play.

[Jacob]

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.

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Raneem · Rating 4 out of 5]

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

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great beginning book for kids.

[Yz · Rating 5 out of 5]

My son and I both loved it. The writing is clear and interesting, the illustrations are wonderful. Great intro book for kids.

[AC · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excelent. Not only for children. Each topic very clearly explained.