Board Games Books

Karl, the reviewer before me, found exactly the right words to praise this book. I am a profesional player and can only agree. The only difference: I give it 5 stars :-)

Though its` title says "improve", the book is in part meant for budding experts. Most of the book is geared towards intermediate level players. There is a wealth of information on the doubling cube in match play(very interesting). Money games are not forgotten and Mr. Lamford explains the use of modern computers for both gaming and match play. He also uses exercises to gauge your understanding. Even with parts aimed at experts, it will still teach what needs to be learned to go from mid level to an advanced one, both easily and naturally. The amount of knowledge in this "little" book is unexcelled and NEEDS to be in every players library. the value of this book cannot be understated and is worth far and away more than the few pennies the book costs. May you get the same pleasure I`ve received (or more).
Karl Duzell (real name)

The combination of Garry Kasparov and Microsoft makes for the most compelling chess read I've known to date. Anyone who is interested in the internet and chess must own this book!

I picked this book up used as it just looked nice. The book has a forward by Bill Gates which is really nothing special. The format of the book is what makes it so pleasant to read. It's written by Kasparov in first person in a diary format. If you're familiar with Chernev's "Logical Chess Move by Move" or similar books where each and every move from the first to the last is explained and like that format then you'll love this book. It's really only "instructional" if you're at Kasparov's level. However, this is not marketed as an instructional book.

It gives fantastic insight to Kasparov's thoughts as the game progressed. All of the things going on in his life on the side as this game moved forward through the months.

And let's not forget the game itself. What a blast to read! Not the typical draw that a lot of strong strong games end in. But a win in a style that only Kasparov could serve up.

If you want something you can learn from, I don't suggest this book. If you want a book that you can read a few pages before you go to bed every night, this is just for you. You don't need to set up a chessboard to read this book.

It should also be noted that this book is not one of those typical chess books in that it's not double-column pages with tiny text and more notation than text. This is far more words than notation. That's what makes this book so easy and fun to read.

Charushin wrote this book to give examples of, and to analyze, the double-bishop sacrifice which he names Lasker's Combination after this motif's most famous game. IN THIS CONTEXT the book is excellent: he examines "Canonical" Combinations (1.Bxh7+! Kxh7 2.Qh5+ Kg8 3.Bxg7!!, etc.). "Shortened" Combinations (1.Bxh7+! Kxh7 2.Bxg7!!, etc.), "Lengthened" Combinations (1.Bxh7+! Kxh7 2._____ 3._____ 4.Bxg7!!), etc. I think you get the idea.

Clearly, this is not a book for a beginner (I am a Class "A" player). Also, this certainly should not be your one-volume attacking guide! It is a specialized work, and examines a combination that admittedly does not appear very often.

Especially if you play systems such as the Colle-Zukertort with White (with one bishop on the a1-h8 diagonal, and the other on the b1-h7 diagonal) or similar set-ups as Black, this may be quite a good purchase. I recommend it anyway because it adds one more arrow to your attacking quiver.

I have studied all five of Charushin's Tactician's Handbooks and this one is my favorite. In the introduction, there's a quote from Saviely Tartakower that alludes to the concept of, "What you've learned is safe is, in fact, not safe, so you still have to keep your guard up" (my words). This book does a wonderful job of teaching Lasker's Combination and you should also look at it as Lasker's Principle. You do have to practice it through actual play over the board. I've noticed that more experienced players tend to fianchetto when they see the King's Bishop getting posted, but you have to remember this is a strong attack being set up. I have won a few games using this tactic (of which you do have to know cold the certain nuances) and have enjoyed watching the expression of my opponent go from consternation to great concern as he tries to buckle down and plan a winning counter. To be honest, I have also lost quite a few games in attempting this tactic; you must practice it. However, losses notwithstanding, the training you undergo as you proceed through this book really gets you to think in such a different way even if your opponent becomes successful in making you do someting else. Lasker's Combination is an attack that, in most cases, has to be set up specifically, but there are very jaw-dropping alternatives that come from seeing Lasker's Principle (my words).

I also just love how Charushin shares with the reader his own story of chess in his life at the beginning of the book. This book has the most "over-the-shoulder" training from Charushin compared to his other books. It is a veritable eye-opener that makes you think outside the box.

I am a pre-school teacher of three year olds.I ordered this book for my class and the absolutely love it! Even the girls.They ask me to read it everyday.Definitely recommend it.

This little hard back book may be small but it is big fun for little ones. My 4 year enjoys the TV show and now he can take Bob the Builder along with him. The inside is not only a peek a boo but a pop-up as well which holds their attention and adds more fun to this cute well written book. My son just love it and I am ordering more for birthday gifts. I would recommend it to you and your small ones.

The book is broken into four distinct parts: a very important introduction by his surviving daughter, a 61 page narrative of the life of Najdorf, a series of well-annotated games by a very strong Russian Grandmaster and finally some selected endings and moves from his Najdorf's games.

The introduction by his daughter showed a certain viewpoint not seen anywhere else in the book. Much like an introduction to any biography from a loved one. They simply see the man like no one else. The roughly sixty page mini-biography was by far the weakest part of the book and was the main reason for the reduction from five to four stars. An additional minor reason was the shortage of diagrams with many games requiring the use of a chess board to play through the game (some only one diagram for a 25 move game, many two diagrams for a 40+ move game). For the most part, the biography lacked any real consistencies and objectivity. The author was trying to paint a picture of a likable guy but from all accounts, he was much more of a "character" than anything else. This is quite okay, but the inconsistencies about his connection to his wife and daughter (still in Poland) during the war really should have been addressed by the editor.

If you are a queen pawn player, this book is a must read. 90 percent of the games are with white (for Najdorf) and he very instructively shows how to beat weaker opponents with dazzling attacks and combinations born from responses to queen pawn like QGD, Nimzo, Queen's Indian etc.. The only rub is that the opposition in general is considerably weaker due to his location of Argentina. Very few games against the world's best and even fewer with the black pieces. Still, his use of pieces to create attacks and combinations is extremely instructive (to me). The final section on endgames positions is an almost "throw in" and really doesn't add much to the book. The over 100 annotated games by mostly the authors (and occasionally other chess players from the day) is the true gem of this book.

In the end, this is one of the much better "Life and Games" kind of collections and definitely worth the time.

After reading Najdorf Selected Games by Alexander Beliavsky one cannot avoid the feeling of nostalgia.

Imagine a tournemant where you get crushed by former World Champion Euwe after a thrilling fight. Then you take on mark Taimanov one of the new soviet stars and trounce him in a Kings Indian game that will live foirever. Thereafter you thash Tigran Petrosian but thereafter get punished by Efim Geller for treating one of his friends like that. That was Zürich 1953 and those were the days...

Najdorf competed there with a decent although not brilliant result. His mastery in tactics and discoveries in the opening (Najdorf variation and different bransches of the Kings Indian for example) took him to heights only a handful of hard-teaining Soviet could match. Unfortunately he didn't get his chance to fight for the WC 1948 which poosibly was his best chance.

Therefore we remember Najdorf as one of those outstanding players next to WC-level and Najdorfs other life, aside from chess, was probably no less interesting.

That is something of what you will find in Najdorf Selected Games. I would be a fool not to recommend this book. Enjoy!

I was a fan of miffy when I was kid, and now that I'm older I still love that little miffy. It's a great book for little kids and when I have them I'll read them my favorite book to them.

My toddler loves playing peek-a-boo w/Miffy, Miffy's Mom, Dad, and dog. The illustrations are large, simple and colorful. Most importantly the pages are very easy to turn for my daughter who received this book when she was about 11 months old. Each time she turns the page she's rewarded w/a peek-a-boo surprise. I recommend this book for young children and babies who enjoy playing peek-a-boo. (Older children will probably be bored with the simplicity of this book.)

This is the first in a new series of little puzzle books written by 7-dan player Yang YiLun. Yang is a well known teacher of the game who has worked in the United States for the past 10 years. A skilled competitor, he has a knack for devising teaching puzzles that are both entertaining and enlightening.

Justifiably respected for a challenging two volume series entitled 'Ingenious Life and Death Puzzles,' Yang has this time focused on puzzles of a less weighty nature. This small volume contains 80 puzzles, half on rescue and half on capture, which are intended to be worked out in spare moments, rather than in deep study at the game board.

Whether in backpack or back pocket, these puzzles are most accessible, neither too hard nor overly simple. As such they are useful to a vary wide range of players in the sub 1 dan class. Which is most of the players in the world. I don't think beginners should be frightened off either. The printing is simple, but adequate, and the explanations are sufficient. The second volume in this series, 'Tricks in Joseki' is in print, and should be available shortly.

This book is probably best suited for low kyu players that want to breakthrough to shodan level, but anyone with a firm understanding of the theory of Go will get something out of it. It's a book of problems dealing with the title- Rescue & Capture. Through abstract and devious problems, the author forces you think in ways you never dreamed of, and by the end of the book, you should be a few stones stronger. This is a must for anyone serious about the game of Go!

I found this a good introductory work to joseki. It did well in that it addressed the principles behind what was going on. As so many others, I would warn earlier beginners (20kyu or less) to wait before studying joseki. Then, when they do, they must STUDY joseki, not just memorize.
I would suppose my only two complaints are that the authors gave not enough attention to what one may do if the opponent steps away from best play. Also, like many strong players, there was no thought given to showing why a final position was balanced or may be good for black or for white. Still, a good book overall.

Well written introduction to opening moves in the corners for players who have progresed beyond the earliest beginner stage. If you are beginning to have a little feeling for the game instead of feeling totally confused, this is a book for you. These opening sequences give an even result locally. The authors (a Japanese and an American professional) discuss how each opening sequence interacts with other areas of the board.

My 4 year old son recieved this as a Christmas gift and he loves it. The puzzles are not too simple, but there is a matching picture on the book under the puzzle, so he can do it without any help. It has kept him occupied for up to 30 minutes at church,the doctor's office, and at home. That's saying a lot for my VERY busy child. I would recomend this book to anyone who is looking for a good quiet activity for their preschooler (and who isn't?).

This book has nice, thick puzzle pieces. Many other puzzle books are flimsy and fall out of the book to be lost forever. We take this one to restaurants as a distraction while we wait and my 3-year-old son loves it. It is well made and colorful. I would recommend this book.

My son received this book for his 3rd birthday. I am now going to buy it for his friend's birthday. This book is a magnet for children. They love the fact that the book comes with little animal pieces that they can take out and play with and put into the book! The illustrations are adorable and the text is simple and educational (mostly about animal sounds). The only reason I didn't rate this book 5 stars is because the neat way the pieces are stored (behind a little sliding panel on the front cover--which is really cute and ingenious), has been torn a couple of times (I've had to glue and then tape the front cover). Little 2 and 3 year olds cannot easily get the pieces out on their own. With a little help and practice they can learn to, but until then the front cover can be quickly torn up.

This is a very unique book. My 2 year old daughter loves animals and books. This book not only teaches about the animals but allows the child to play with the book. The animal shaped pieces fit onto the correct page and again at the end...which teaches dexterity and problem solving skills! My daughter couldn't put this book down. It is wonderful to carry in the diaper bag for those times when your little one needs to play quietly somewhere! Very interactive book...my daughter takes the animal pieces and plays in her own imaginative way, too!