CHESS
PRIMER An Introduction to the Game of Chess
(Revised Second Edition)
Our children are special. Of this fact there is no doubt. And, without
question, the game of chess helps them realize their potential. This
is because it helps improve their ability to think more independently
and critically about whatever they encounter in the streets, schools
and homes of our community. It causes them to think about consequences...Furthermore,
chess is math. It is a game that requires the constant calculation and
recalculation of multiple numerical problems at the same time. The leap
in thinking that occurs in a child when s/he is required to simultaneously
consider the present and possible moves of 32 uniquely moving pieces
continuously traversing a 64 square board is truly amazing to witness...[Chess
Primer] has been specifically designed to help simplify many of the
concepts and ideas fundamental to the game of chess so that they can
immediately begin to play and test their skills out on each other.
In that
this is a revised edition, it should be noted that I have made a number
of changes that should improve on the original’s quality. The reader
should first notice a change in the presentation. The size of the book
has been reduced, making it more practical as a portable reading tool.
The text and graphics (tables, charts and figures) are clearer and of
a much better professional quality. Within the introductory chapter
more historical and culturally centered analysis has been provided for
those to whom this was written. More practice and playing tips have
been inserted at appropriate points and a list of “Rules to Learn to
Win By” is found at the end of Chapter 6. Of equal importance, sets
of one- move and two-move checkmate problems have been placed at the
end of the text so that novices can begin to systematically practice
the art of mating. And last, but not least, a short, selected bibliography
has been added for those who wish to take their game to the next level.
