Chess for Dummies

Biographical Note:

James Eade became a US Chess Federation Chess Master in 1981. International organizations awarded him the master title in 1990 (for correspondence) and in 1993 (for regular tournament play). Today, he writes about and teaches chess.

• Grasp the principles of play during each phase of the game
• Know the pieces and their unique powers
• Try out tactics and combinations

Master the game of chess

Kings, queens, knights -- does chess seem like a royal pain to grasp? Chess For Dummies is here to help you wrap your mind around the rules of the game, make sense of those puzzling pieces, and start playing chess like a champ. Whether you're playing for the first time, want to be a better player, or even compete in a tournament, this guide helps you make the very best moves!

Inside...

• Chess etiquette 101
• Go after the king
• Build pattern recognition
• Use mating patterns
• Select your strategy
• Open strong
• Master the middlegame
• Bring your endgame skills
• Play online

Introduction 1

Part 1: Laying the Groundwork for Champion Chess 5

Chapter 1: Tackling Chess Basics 7

Chapter 2: Getting to Know the Pieces and Their Powers 21

Chapter 3: Exploring the Elements of Chess 39

Chapter 4: Going after the King: Check, Stalemate, and Checkmate 63

Chapter 5: Making a Few Special Moves 79

Chapter 6: Got Notation? Reading and Writing about Chess 85

Part 2: Gaining Chess Know-How 97

Chapter 7: Trying Out Tactics and Combinations in Hand-to-Hand Combat 99

Chapter 8: Sacrifices: Understanding When It's Better to Give than to Receive 125

Chapter 9: Building Pattern Recognition 137

Chapter 10: Recognizing Advanced Pawn Formations 157

Chapter 11: Mastering Mating Patterns 171

Part 3: Game Time: Putting Your Chess Foot Forward 189

Chapter 12: Selecting Your Strategy: The Principles of Play 191

Chapter 13: Coming on Strong in the Opening 209

Chapter 14: Making Headway during the Middlegame 227

Chapter 15: Exiting with Style in the Endgame 239

Part 4: Getting into Advanced Action 263

Chapter 16: Playing in Competition 265

Chapter 17: Hitting the Net with Computer Chess 279

Part 5: The Part of Tens 289

Chapter 18: The Ten Most Famous Chess Games of All Time 291

Chapter 19: The Ten Best Players of All Time (and a Few Others) 321

Chapter 20: Ten (or So) Cool Facts about Kids and Chess 345

Part 6: Appendixes 349

Appendix A: A Glossary of Chess 351

Appendix B: Chess Resources 371

Index 375

Want to play chess like a champ? Dummies can help.

From Netflix's "The Queen's Gambit" to podcasts, virtual and mobile gaming, and beyond, chess is back in a big way. But, with all those kings, queens, and knights, chess can be a royal pain to grasp. Chess For Dummies is here to help beginners wrap their minds around the rules of the game, make sense of those puzzling pieces, and sharpen their chess strategy such that even Paul Morphy would be impressed. You'll learn the laws of chess, its lingo, and engage in the art of the attack with the easy-to-follow, step-by-step explanations found in the latest edition of Chess For Dummies.

Whether you're playing chess online, in a tournament, or across the dining room table with a family member or friend, this hands-on guide is sure to capture your interest (and your opponent's queen), getting you up to speed on the game and its components and giving you the know-how you need to put the principles of play into action from the opening to the endgame.

• Grasp the rules of play and the nuances of each phase of the game
• Familiarize yourself with the pieces and the board
• Pick the perfect chess set and chessboard for you
• Get to know each of the pieces and their powers

If you feel like you're in a stalemate before you even begin a game, Chess For Dummies is your guide to forcing moves, raking bishops, and skewering your opponents like a true champion.