Chess Openings for Kids Paperback – 31 Dec. 2022

I've just finished working through the main text of this book, and am really impressed.I have read a few beginner's books on openings and the openings chapters of beginners books before, so this wasn't a voyage of complete discovery for me, but my books were old and this is much more up to date - and good enough for my level. The choice of openings - 50-ish in all - covers all the main openings (though don't expect MCO/NCO-like coverage of all systems - it is an introduction!).Each line probably has 5 or so sub-variations, none of which go much beyond a dozen moves. I read the kindle version, which on my old Kindle Fire was perfectly formatted and a nice read. I liked the links to the break-out pages for the main sub-variations, which also helped to break the information down into bite-sized chunks. The descriptions also gave a flavour for the nature of each sub-variations, and a few traps (though there is a book in this series dedicated to opening traps which I will read next). Relationships between main openings were also indicated (e.g. where an opening might transpose into another). Throughout the descriptions of the openings are explanations of the main ideas and themes, including important positional concepts. There is much to learn from a close reading.I read this with a chess board and an A4 notepad in hand, and first browsed through the opening to find where the main branches of the tree of sub-variations broke off, and wrote notes laid out to display the main choices along the tree of variations. I found that helpful to get a feel for the structure of the opening. I also tried to visualise the opening before playing it out on the board. There is also a very handy quiz at the end, to reinforce your knowledge.I wouldn't describe this book as a casual read; the subject is something that must be actively engaged with; but this book certainly makes the subject very accessible if you know or are prepared to learn algebraic notation (and if you aren't, well, is chess at this level for you?). As a middle-aged adult, I must say that it is interesting to see what level, quantity and quality of information is being presented at "kids" - i.e. what is expected knowledge and skill. I guess that children, say under 10, who are interested in puzzles, logic, and can follow a train of thought will follow this kind of presentation; certainly, anyone who is aiming for A-level or equivalent should eat this stuff. But it will take a degree of commitment, interest, motivation and application - perhaps my study approach described above might be useful to others. A great foundation in opening theory (and other things too, e.g. positional awareness) is available to anyone who devours this book.An extra set of features, which I couldn't take advantage of on my old Kindle Fire but which I am sure would have been fine on my laptop, was the links to the popular online chess website lichess dot com, for openings and chess terminology. These links are sprinkled throughout the kindle book. For computer-savvy people who like on-line chess, or novices who'd like to try, this is an additional goldmine of information.I will certainly be re-reading this, and my notes, and playing this lot out to reinforce my "muscle memory" and "visual memory". This will definitely form an excellent basis for my chess opening studies going forward. With the kindle app on my laptop, I'll certainly be having a look at lichess dot com. Highly recommended. Thank you!

Yes, it's the same classic old openings, well they have to be doesn't they!The difference is that they are presented in a fairly succinct manner and since the real problem is finding an opponent who will play them from the script it's the first 2 or 3 moves that are the ones to try to remember.

A great book to have in the house if you like chess and want to play with your kid

Fifty chess openings are explained but the book's not really for kids. Of course, it all depends what you mean by kids. This would be a good book for a 17 year old who's mad keen on chess, can read chess notation fluently and is prepared to work hard to master the openings. I can't see it helping a nine year old of average ability who's not particularly experienced at reading the notation and whose interest in chess needs a bit of encouragement. The problem is that the different lines emanating from each opening are described in considerable detail with very few diagrams of actual board positions. In addition, the typeface is small and the layout of the text is cramped. Paradoxically, the funny cartoons are big, surrounded by masses of white space and printed in bold. The book designer should think again, in my opinion.

I thought used book will be very old and folded pages or markings, but this way as good as new. Great buy.

Having purchased many books about chess as gifts for children, I decided to get this one. I wish I had saved my money. I really don't know what age group the authors think this book is for But it certainly is not a book for kids. The writing could be described as dense and the explanations are not very clear. As another reviewer said, if you want to put your child off chess, this is the book for you. There are better books out there for kids, and adults.

helps with kids chess lessons

Worried that your chess-mad child is neglecting his school homework ? Then this book is for you as it should put him off chess for a long time by destroying his self-confidence. Great for adults trying to shake a chess addiction too.More seriously, even though the general organisation is excellent (each opening gets a double page with a general introduction followed by 6 commented diagrams), the content is mostly impenetrable. Variations and sub-variations are broken up in randomly scattered fragments, making it detective work to reconstruct complete move orders. I found myself rewriting entire sections, with much use of Tipp-Ex corrector, until I gave up in frustration. Couldn’t help feeling the authors were having a laugh !