English Chess Forum

I've been playing some informal slow games with a friend of mine who is a beginner, but wants to improve.

He specifically said he "does not know how to think once hes past the opening" Ie How to form plans

I suggested he reads a book, which he wants to do. Now which one?

I immediately thought of the book that got me captivated as a child " Chess for tomorrow's champions" by John Walker which annotated some of the great historical games by Anderssen etc.

Possibly one of the Irving Chernev move by move books.

I think the ideal is a book that displays some of the great games of history, and contain some instructional content at the same time.

Any suggestions?

Nick Burrows wrote:I've been playing some informal slow games with a friend of mine who is a beginner, but wants to improve.

He specifically said he "does not know how to think once hes past the opening" Ie How to form plans

I suggested he reads a book, which he wants to do. Now which one?

I immediately thought of the book that got me captivated as a child " Chess for tomorrow's champions" by John Walker which annotated some of the great historical games by Anderssen etc.

Possibly one of the Irving Chernev move by move books.

I think the ideal is a book that displays some of the great games of history, and contain some instructional content at the same time.

Any suggestions?

Simple chess Michael Stean

I considered that Joshua, but thought it was too advanced for a novice.

Don't know if it is still in print but BH Wood's "Easy Guide to Chess" did it for me.

Nick Burrows wrote:I considered that Joshua, but thought it was too advanced for a novice.

I disagree with you. I'd suggest the right way to play chess by Pritchard

Chess for Children - excellent to have various ways to teach.
Personally I have used a lot of that material in teaching adults.

Play winning chess is very good for beginners.

"The method in chess" is great too, but rathher advanced

soheil_hooshdaran wrote:
"The method in chess" is great too, but rathher advanced

I was thinking of jokingly suggesting this as a book for beginners as well as questions of modern chess theory by Lipnitsky

soheil_hooshdaran wrote:Play winning chess is very good for beginners.

"The method in chess" is great too, but rathher advanced

Thanks Soheil, I think the Seirawan book looks about perfect for giving an all round introduction to the good game

Nick Burrows wrote:I think the Seirawan book looks about perfect for giving an all round introduction to the good game

As the forum will doubtless recall, it is full of excitable writing.

Roger de Coverly wrote:

Nick Burrows wrote:I think the Seirawan book looks about perfect for giving an all round introduction to the good game

As the forum will doubtless recall, it is full of excitable writing.

In what sense?

Nick Burrows wrote: In what sense?

It elicited a lot of questions when a translation into Farsi was attempted.

http://www.ecforum.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f=36&t=6627

107 pages and counting, although the thread has moved to the meaning of other English/American idioms.

The Pritchard, Wood and Chernev books are good. Leonard Barden did one as well, but I'm sorry to say the title eludes me at present, "Guardian Book of Chess", perhaps?

I would not like to recommend Walker to anyone.

Anyone tried "Chess for dummies"?

The Game of Chess by Harry Golombek was my first book (from Primary School leaving).

Kevin Thurlow wrote:
I would not like to recommend Walker to anyone.

No I don't think I would now after reading of his crimes.

Shame, as it's a good book.