Chess is the ultimate fun strategy game - and this is the perfect introduction to chess, whether you're a budding master or you've never played before.
In simple, fun stages, readers will learn what every piece can do, and how to use them on the board. Clear, original board diagrams make the action easy to understand. Readers will also discover the best tactics to use against their opponent, from how to counter the Queen's Gambit to how to avoid the Fool's Mate. There's plenty to discover about the wider world of chess too - including unusual trivia and unbelievable true chess stories from history. You'll also find a full glossary of chess terms and profiles of some of the world's greatest players inside.
Written with clarity and humour, this is the only guide any young chess player will need.
Contents: Sections include: - MINIGAMES - You don't even need to know how all the pieces move to get playing! These fun and simple minigames are the perfect introduction to chess - THE CHESS PIECES - Meet the chess pieces: the pawn, rook, bishop, queen, knight and king - SPECIAL MOVES - There are three special moves you should know: pawn promotion, en passant pawn captures and castling - TRICKY TACTICS - Chess gets exciting once you get to the tactics. We will show you the basic tactics like pins, forks, skewers, plus smart concepts such as sacrifices, decoys and deflections - ATTACK AND DEFENCE - Understand the basic elements of attack and defence. Learn about threats, double attacks and how to win material - CHECK AND CHECKMATE - Learn the meaning of check and checkmate, the most famous concept in chess. Learn the difference between checkmate and stalemate. Learn how to get out of check - OPENINGS - Learn the best way to open a chess game. Get to grips with the Italian Opening and the Queen's Gambit. Beware of Fool's Mate and Scholar's Mate - STRATEGY - The five best chess strategies to get the better of your opponent during the middlegame - ENDGAMES - When there are only a few pieces left, you need to be accurate. Being able to play endings well is the sign of the master! - TOURNAMENTS - Once you get to the stage you want to enter a competition, there are a few things you should know: chess etiquette, time controls and looking out for cheating!
