Play Winning Chess

Rating:
Summary: The best modern chess primer
Review: This book is the best modern primer on chess available. Yasser Seirawan writes with the authority of a top-rated chess player whose main idea is to get beginners to learn the main ideas about chess. Unlike other books, Seirawan pays little attention to specific moves and concentrates on four important cornerstones of the chess game. Material ("Force") is usually the concept which is easier to assimilate, but Yaz successfully stresses that development ("Time"), territorial advantage ("Space") and position ("Pawn Structure") are as important as the first concept. The clarity with which he explains the ideas and connects them makes this book very suitable also for initiated players who are still crude in chess theory. The merit of this book is that newcomers will learn how to decide upon their chess moves taking into account the most important points of the game. Eight short games thoroughly annotated follow, where the practical aspects of all four elements are shown. A nice picture album, a very useful glossary, and quizzes spread along the text nicely complement the reading. Recommended for beginners and for those who, although already familiar with the way the chessmen move, want to take up the game of chess more seriously. (USCF ratings up to 1200).

Rating:
Summary: A perfect starting point.
Review: This book would be an excellent first book on chess. It introduces the crucial elements of winning play and can help beginning players immensely. Seirawan has an easy to read style and a good sense of humor that make this book a real winner. If you're looking for that "foundation" book for your chess library this one is a great candidate!

Rating:
Summary: A great introductary book to chess
Review: This is a great introduction, but it may not be for everyone. It's not a simple problem-answer type book, such as Bobby Fischer teaches chess, and calls for a lot more attention. It fits my style perfectly, and got me up to the point where I can play a decent game and appreciate some of the subtleties of the game. Have a look through it and see if it fits your learning style - this is one of the best introductary books available.

Rating:
Summary: Play Winning Chess
Review: This is one of the most instructive books on the subject of chess. It is designed to give a logical approach to chess for beginners. This is a must have for anybody who is getting started with chess!

Rating:
Summary: Great Basics!
Review: This is the absolute best book for beginners that know nothing to people that know how to play chess but really know know HOW to play chess (win). This book gets you to the basics and teaches you the principles of chess that will immediately start to improve your game. The Tactics, Strategy, and Opening books in Seirawan's series are highly recommended follow ups. I have all 5 books in the series.

Rating:
Summary: Fundamentals
Review: To me, 4 stars means "good" - "better than average" but not "excellent." Although I'm a little tired of books which review the "this is how this piece moves," this book only give a token nod to piece movement. It focuses mainly on four basic concepts: force, time, space and pawn structure. If you don't understand why these four topics are critical to your basic play, this book is for you. This book, as does the entire series, has quizzes throughout the chapters and tests at the end of each chapter. These help make sure you understood what the chapters were about. The last real chapter covers annotated games that nicely demonstrate the principles. Personally, I enjoyed the history section in the beginning. I had grown a little tired of "the queen wasn't always this powerful" descriptions in most books and I finally know when the pieces' powers changed and what they changed from... nice perk.

Rating:
Summary: Fundamentals
Review: To me, 4 stars means "good" - "better than average" but not "excellent." Although I'm a little tired of books which review the "this is how this piece moves," this book only give a token nod to piece movement. It focuses mainly on four basic concepts: force, time, space and pawn structure. If you don't understand why these four topics are critical to your basic play, this book is for you. This book, as does the entire series, has quizzes throughout the chapters and tests at the end of each chapter. These help make sure you understood what the chapters were about. The last real chapter covers annotated games that nicely demonstrate the principles. Personally, I enjoyed the history section in the beginning. I had grown a little tired of "the queen wasn't always this powerful" descriptions in most books and I finally know when the pieces' powers changed and what they changed from... nice perk.

Rating:
Summary: Not only for beginners
Review: While in HS, I thought I could beat the world at chess. Never having any formal training, I read books and memorized openings, middle games and end games. Now in my thirtys, I realized that I was not as good as I thought in my younger years. I was continously beaten by my coworkers. I read Play Winning Chess and Tactics by Yasser and now I am becoming what I was years ago, a good chess player. His series teaches you not only to memorize, but to understand why the moves you make are important. By teaching combinations and tactics, he has helped me improve my game enormously. I also use the book to improve my son's game. He will be 6 years old in two weeks. If he can understand it, anybody can.

Rating:
Summary: The only TRUE book for beginners
Review: Yasser Seirawan has truly shown his skill and expertise as a true master of the game. If you want to make your game truly great, this book is a must. In-depth move analysis, and commentary from the man himself, make it a must-have for the chess enthusiast. Don't pass this one up, your game will regret it!!!!