Author: Roy Eassa
Date: 16:42:01 01/06/02
Go up one level in this thread
On January 06, 2002 at 19:13:59, Sanford May wrote: >I'd appreciate suggestions for a good, broad scope chess book (or a couple of >titles) for an intermediate beginner looking to improve his game. > Here's a book that's quite old (from the 1950s) and that uses the older notation, but that contains 8 chess books in one book and was helpful to me in the 1970s: "The Complete Chess Course," by Fred Reinfeld (used price under $7) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0385004648/ref=ase_monroevichessclu/002-1367319-5157663 One reviewer said this: This is the most comprehensive book on chess I've ever read. Eight books in 1 volume include approx.1,000 diagrams with clear-cut advice on how to win, as played by the Masters. "The Complete Chess Course" is the key to succesful chess like Reinfeld's other 'Classics': "How To Be A Winner at Chess" and "Chess How To Win in 20 Moves Or Less" etc. are also required reading. Another reviewer said: Reinfeld is (was) one of the most user-friendly authors of introductory chess books. Reinfeld loved the game, explained it in simple and clear terms and made a reader believe he could play better chess too. This is a book for novices and lower-rated players looking for concepts and simple themes. For me this book has nostalgia value only (I'm rated 2150 USCF now) but I'd recommend this book for people who are casual players not looking for serious annotations with riqorous analysis, but do want something instructional that won't be over their heads. As a kid, reading Reinfeld WAS FUN!! And a negative review, for balance: Try the "Mammoth Book of Chess" for a complete chess course that is far less expensive (about half Reinfeld), current, and more balanced in presentation. The Mammoth Book provides you with an excellent single volume introduction to tactics, openings, planning, endgames,etc. It is truly amazing. I'm not saying Reinfeld is useless but your time and money I sincerely believe would be better spent elsewhere. Were I just learning the game, this time around I would use "The Mammoth Book Of Chess." I haven't read "The Mammoth Book Of Chess," but it sure looks good (great reviews, too), especially for under $10 new: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0786707259/ref=pd_bxgy_text_2/002-1367319-5157663 Some web pages that recommend chess books: http://mccchess.icubed.com/books.htm http://www3.sympatico.ca/chesspraxis/tenbestbooks.htm http://www.wizard.net/~matkins/amazon/instructional.htm Finally, I've heard good things about: "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess" (about $8 used) http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0028617363/qid=1010363925/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_6_1/002-1367319-5157663
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