Checkmate!: My First Chess Book (Everyman Chess) Hardcover – October 1, 2004

The first impression is that this book is suited for children just learning chess. However, when you actually get into the specifics, you discover many solid, foundational ideas of the game. A thin, one-volume work could hardly be expected to be all-inclusive, but this book by (or ghostwritten for) Kasparov covers the basics and much more. There are sections on openings, tactics and combinations, and endgames, along with several drills for each. Since my childhood is long behind me, I found the format and style somewhat offputting, as it seems to be geared towards children. However, once you get past that bias, you'll find the contents actually quite useful.

I am so glad I bought this book to relearn how to play chess after more than 50 years. It's very easy to understand for visual learners. It has great graphics, is well-organized.... I could go on and on because I enjoy using it so much, but I really just want to let others know that you really can't go wrong buying this book to learn chess. It makes learning it easy and fun! I am going to pass it down to our grandchildren after my husband and I master what it has to offer us first. :) Being a sturdy, hard cover version, it will last a long time and can well handle the usual wear and tear the youngsters will give it. I'd also like to mention that it comes with a dust cover, which I never like to keep but usually do because the actual hard covers of most books are so blah. But not this one!! I was so happy to see the same beautiful graphics on the book's actual cover, and I promptly recycled the paper dust cover.

I bought a number of chess books. This book is by far the easiest to follow and stick with. Art work and graphics very clear, understandable and helpful. Perfect for all ages. I bought a number of these as gifts for my friends and family.

Very well laid out and clear, but my eight year old and five year old need it explained to them as we go along and only get some of it.

Author hits it out of the ballpark with this one! Very nice colored pages with illustrations, but not just photos, very clear diagrams and information about the rules of the game. It goes into some hints about strategy which I was pleasantly surprised as well. Great for kids just starting out, this book does not leave my sons side, even when he is playing me, he is going back the book to read when it is my turn. This is by far the number one chess book for kids!

Perfect book for my 9-yr-old who just got into chess. I looked at many promising books that ended up too detailed and too full of algebra notation--she is an advanced reader, but c'mon, she's still only nine! This book starts with board setup and rules, then goes into tactics with diagrams and explanation that are clear yet simple, giving my daughter plenty to think about and experiment with to develop her game. If she's still playing a few years from now, she will be ready to decipher some of those other books.

I am an adult who recently learned how to play by purchasing "No Stress Chess" game (which I give the absolutely highest rating possible)and played with my son and I wanted to progress with some strategy, though I play computer chess regularly. I haven't finished the book completely, but I'm working on it. I give this book the best rating possible because it covers everything a beginner needs and has examples. At the same time it is not a book to read and put away, but makes you want to study over time.

For a beginning player, the graphics are well done. Geared to a younger audience, the rules are explained so as to enhance retention. The examples in the back are well known to experienced players, but help the novice to more easily get up to speed.Normally, someone of Kasparov's calibre is too far removed from the beginning level to explain things easily. This isn't the case here. I put this in our middle school library to help budding players get started. I've recommended it to others and will do so again for aspiring chess players.