Basic Chess

by David Levens

• ISBN13: 9780600608042
• ISBN10: 0600608042
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-10-28
• Publisher: Hamlyn

Summary

Chess is the world's most popular board game--and now anyone can play, with this straightforward, jargon-free introduction. Written especially for beginners, it's the most comprehensive manual available and includes everything from explanations of each piece to orchestrating endgames. In addition to expert advice, simple instructions, and more than 200 easy-to-follow diagrams, novices will find aggressive openings, the top-ten traps and attacks, basic tactical principles, specimen games to learn and crib from, and a test your chess IQ section. And, to keep the momentum going, there's guidance on how to practice-including playing computer chess and joining a club.

Author Biography

David Levens is a Professional Chess Coach whose pupils include members of the English Junior Squad. He is Marketing Director of the British Chess Federation and an author of child fiction.

Table of Contents

Introduction	6	(2)
Before You Start	8	(18)
Chess sets	10	(1)
The game	10	(3)
A piece-by-piece guide to the moves	13	(3)
Special moves	16	(1)
The strengths and weaknesses of each piece	17	(5)
Recording a game	22	(2)
Chess clocks	24	(2)
Chess Tactics	26	(30)
Check	28	(2)
Checkmate	30	(2)
Stalemate and other drawing mechanisms	32	(2)
Basic tactical knowledge	34	(6)
Common mating patterns	40	(9)
Some tactical clues to look for	49	(7)
Openings	56	(58)
Occupying the centre	58	(2)
Openings for white	60	(20)
Openings for black	80	(18)
Common opening traps	98	(12)
Dealing with openings you don't know	110	(4)
The Middlegame	114	(14)
Key principles of the middlegame	116	(12)
Endgames	128	(20)
The players' aims during the endgame	130	(1)
Transition to the endgame	130	(2)
Elements of the endgame	132	(2)
Avoiding disaster moves	134	(1)
Checkmating the king with limited material	135	(7)
Tricks, traps and finesses	142	(6)
Test Your Chess IQ	148	(22)
Check your ability	150	(1)
Checkmate in one move	150	(3)
Two-move problems	153	(3)
Pin and win!	156	(2)
Exploiting the fork	158	(3)
Use the skewer	161	(1)
Back-rank weaknesses	162	(1)
Destruction and deflection	163	(2)
Stalemates	165	(1)
Endgame teasers	166	(1)
Openings	167	(1)
Answers to problems	168	(1)
Assessment	169	(1)
The Way Forward	170	(15)
Chess clubs	172	(1)
Chess coaches	172	(1)
Chess problems	172	(1)
National associations	172	(1)
Newspapers and magazines	173	(1)
Competitions	173	(1)
Computer chess	174	(3)
Chess on the Internet	177	(2)
Correspondence chess	179	(3)
Chess variants - some different fun ways of playing chess	182	(3)
Glossary	185	(6)
Index	191	(1)
Acknowledgements	192