Board Games Books

How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit chess)

Murray Chandler

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Gambit Publications Amazon Marketplace: 53 new & used starting at $6.87

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> Board Games -> Chess

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 126 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Amazing book for wannabe attacking players 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Before reading this book, I played chess like a scared chipmunk, obsessing about little details like whether pushing this pawn would weaken my position by a picounit. This book helped me see that the way to win games at the amateur level is to attack, to be aggressive, to go after the enemy king like he is your nemesis, to crank open his position like a sardine can and commit regicide.

The book's title is somewhat misleading in that the book is very narrow in scope (a full book on how to beat dad would have to include discussion of openings, endgames, and more general chess strategy and tactics). Rather, it contains fifty practical checkmating patterns that frequently come up in real games. If the basic mating patterns (e.g., how to mate with a King and Queen versus a lone King) are the alphabet of checkmate, this book is the grammer of checkmate. The patterns consist of beautiful 3-5 move combinations that you will have opportunities to apply in many of your games.

If you are looking for a beginner chess book, get the Idiot's Guide to Chess. That is the best place to start from square one. Then learn some very basic tactics (e.g., Pandolfini's Beginning Chess). Then get and read this book. Over and over. With these patterns ingrained in your mind, you will spot them in the far distance during games, aim for them, and go in for the kill. Sure, sometimes you will crash and burn, but that will only make you more prepared for the next game.

Thanks to Chandler for writing this book. It has made chess fun for me again.

Editorial Review:

This is not just a book for kids - for 'Dad' read any opponent who beats you regularly! This book teaches the 50 Deadly Checkmates - basic attacking patterns that occur repeatedly in games between players of all standards.

Each mating motif is carefully and simply explained, and several illustrative examples are given. A final test enables the reader to grade his pattern recognition abilities, and the last chapter explains what to do if your Dad is Garry Kasparov.

Fun, instructive - and guaranteed to improve your game.

Victorian Doll House

Willabel L. Tong

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Piggy Toes Press Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $1.77

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Best book in the world 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I bought this as a gift for my granddaughter,but couldn't resist a peek, its great!

Thank Heavens, for Little Girls 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this item for both my Granddaughter and Goddaughter since I am very much into the doll's house world, hoping to create a love for this from an early age. Both of them absolutely love their dollhouse with the family and have endless hours of real enjoyment. This is a purchase well worth the money spent.

Great for Grandma's house 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I have purchased 2 of these doll houses. I have one at my house for my grandchildren to play with when they come over and I bought one for my oldest granddaughter we love it and it is easy to keep because it becomes a book when you are finished playing with it. I store it on my bookshelf.

Editorial Review:

The Three-Dimensional Victorian Doll House is a beautifully illustrated carousel doll house with two stories and eight rooms. When you tie back the ribbons, the house stands on its own, revealing great decorative details and authentic-looking-pop-up period furniture - and press-out play dolls and accessories!

Chess for Kids

Michael Basman

Amazon Price: $10.39 List Price: $12.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: DK CHILDREN Amazon Marketplace: 48 new & used starting at $1.05

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Somewhat Confusing Methodology and Order of Progression 2 out of 5 stars.
102 of 103 people found this review helpful.

No doubt about it - the graphics and picutures in CHESS FOR KIDS are excellent. This is what I consider to be the good points of the book, now on to the weaknesses,

The weaknesses are:

The order in which the material is given needs some improving. This is not the exact order that a kid (or an adult) should be taught. This creates a degree of confusion.

The level of reading is not well suited for young kids to learn from, and

Some of the ways that things are explained, such as in the rules and certain aspects of strategies could use some improvement.

Editorial Review:

Making chess accessible to kids. International Master Michael Basman invites you into the challenging and exciting world of chess. His simple and accessible text presents the beginner with the rules, skills, and techniques of the game. Every aspect is illustrated with clear step-by-step photography, from setting up the board and basic moves, to more advanced tactics and strategy. A must for any budding Grandmaster!

Kids' Book of Chess and Chess Set

Harvey Kidder, Kimberly Bulcken Root

Amazon Price: $10.85 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Workman Publishing Company Amazon Marketplace: 189 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Chess Set and Book together for Beginners 3 out of 5 stars.
236 of 237 people found this review helpful.

Actually, for a starters chess set for someone who might not get into chess seriously (by joining the school chess club) the chess set is ok. My pieces did not crack, but I only used them a short time before getting a regular tournament design chess set and roll board for playing at the school chess club.
The book is not so bad if once again if you are not sure if you are going to get very involved in chess. If you think you are then the book is not very deep and you will outgrow it very fast after reading it. If you think you might be joining your school chess club look at the "Chess complete guide for the beginner" or "Learn Chess" by Alexander for a book that will take you deeper into the strategies.
But, this set and board is a bargin if you are a kid who does not really want to get into chess deeply or be involved in the school club or any tournaments.

Editorial Review:

An acclaimed introduction to the world's most enduring game. Fantasy art illustrations by Kimberly Buclken Root capture the energy and excitement of chess's origins--the medieval battlefield--while a direct, lively text explains the game and its pieces in light of history. Each chess piece and its movements are explained in connection with the medieval world that influenced its evolution. Plus the book comes along with a custom-designed chess board, a storage box, and a full set of chess pieces.

Readers are led through the fundamentals of beginning, middle and endgame, and are shown winning strategies for offense and defense. An ideal game for encouraging logical thought and building confidence in children, chess is being taught to young children the world over. THE KIDS' BOOK OF CHESS AND CHESS SET teaches children a game they can enjoy playing with acquired skill and real brain power.

Chess for Juniors: A Complete Guide for the Beginner (Chess)

Robert M. Snyder

List Price: $14.95 By: Random House Puzzles & Games Amazon Marketplace: 18 new & used starting at $32.52

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 190 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Will get the next edition in addition to the copy I have 5 out of 5 stars.
252 of 254 people found this review helpful.

I got this book a couple of years ago and now am chess club presendent at my school chess club in 7th grade. I loaned it out so many times it is getting worn out.

When I went to get a copy now I found out it is temporarily not in print because it is going to be made a new edition. I plan to get the new edition for the chess club.

What I liked about this book is that it isn't a silly little kids picture book. It teaches serious material using an easy to understand method by making the language basic enough and organizing it in an order to make it learning friendly. It would be good for anyone who can read as well as an average third grader right on up to adults. The index in the back makes it easy to find things and relook things up like terms, openings and rules.

Everyone in the school chess club likes it and uses it for continued reference even after having read it. I think this is the best first book for kids and adults.

Editorial Review:

Robert Snyder, national chess master and noted teacher, introduces this timeless game to the young beginner. Snyder teaches the basic principles and then builds on students' knowledge, giving clear instructions on how to choose and employ opening, middle, and endgame strategies to win. In twenty graduated lessons, with over 275 diagrams, Chess for Juniors covers:

-- Basic Rules

-- Check, Checkmate, and Castling

-- Opening Systems, including the Ruy Lopez, the Sicilian Defense, the Nimzo-Indian, the Queen's Indian Defense.

-- Basic Endgame Strategy

-- Tactics such as the Hanging Piece, the Fork, and the Pin

-- And more.

Robert M. Snyder's students have included the 1989 and 1990 national elementary and junior high school champions. He is the founder of the Chess for Juniors chess club in Garden Grove, California, the country's largest club for young people, and his school seminars have been attended by a total of over 50,000 students.

Starting Chess (First Skills)

Harriet Castor, Rebecca Treays

Amazon Price: $4.99 List Price: $4.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Usborne Books Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $1.80

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 18 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Short introduction to chess 3 out of 5 stars.
167 of 168 people found this review helpful.

"Starting Chess" is written at about a high school reading level and designed to give you a quick introduction to how the pieces move, elementary rules and a little bit of strategy to get you started.
The order of presentation is not the best in my opinion. I personally liked "Learn Chess: A complete course" a lot more for organization and the completness of the material necessary to make a beginner into a decent player. Even the junior chess guide for the beginner is far more complete. If you just want to learn how the pieces move and the very, very basics, then "Starting Chess" is satisfactory.

not really long enough 3 out of 5 stars.
40 of 41 people found this review helpful.

If you are a beginner who wants to learn to play from a book then this book is ok, but it is really not long enough.
There are a lot of things to understand when you set out to play chess. It is more that learning how the pawns and all the the other pieces move, and how to set up the chessboard correctly. Though you don't have the learn them all, right at the start, it is important to have the reference information available in case you have questions.
My experience of learning to play chess is that beginners have a lot of basic questions, and that just thinking you can teach a few moves is not enough. Apart from that I though the book was quite good to read.

Editorial Review:

This volume aims to tell a young player with no experience everything they need to know about chess, from how to set out the pieces to special moves and tactics. It contains simple diagrams intended to make examples and puzzles easy to follow.

The Cranium Ultimate Book of Fantastic Fun & Games: Share the Fun with Family and Friends (Cranium)

Inc. Cranium

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: L,B Kids Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $3.39

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> Picture Books
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Book of fun! 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Eric Zeda (age 9) for Reader Views (12/07)

This book is all about having fun with your family and friends. It has games and activities. It includes all the things you need to play the games- a spinner, game cards, marker, two frogs, and a sand timer. The book has five sections. The five sections are Play the Game, Connect, Perform, Discover, and Create. Besides playing the board game, kids can do different activities from drawing to sculpting. This is a great game to play as a family. I recommend you buy one and start having fun with your family and friends.

My brothers and I loved this book because of its cool activities. My favorite game is wacky weather. After we started playing the games we didn't want to stop. I like beating my brothers. I also enjoyed performing and being creative. My brothers liked playing the games and drawing. They thought it was super cool.

Parent's Note: What a wonderful book! If you are trying to figure out how to get your kids away from the video games and television here is your answer. The kids enjoyed playing the games and doing the activities. I loved hearing them laugh, and watching them acting out the parts they were asked to perform. This book should be in every household with kids. "The Ultimate Book of Fantastic Fun & Games: Share the Fun with Family and Friends" also makes a great gift. It's fun, creative, and easy to carry around. Congratulations to the publisher for publishing a unique product.

Editorial Review:

It's time to gather your family and friends together for some seriously fantastic fun! You'll act, sculpt, guess, draw, and laugh your way through every page of this rewritable book that's packed with games and activities you can play again and again. Turn your dining room into a game show with Wheel of Words! Move and groove around the house as you throw your own Dance Party! Sculpt a new 'do (or two!) with Hairdo Hilarity! With dozens of fun activities, the fantastic fun time is endless!

Here's all the cool Cranium stuff you'll find inside:

-Fold-out Cranium Fantastic Fun Game
-Cranium Super Spinner
-Two Flipper Frogs
-Deluxe Game Piece
-Huge tub of Cranium Clay
-100 Game Cards
-Erasable Marker
-Sand Timer

The Cranium Ultimate Book of Fantastic Fun & Games will provide hours of game-time fun for you and your family and friends!

The Amazing Game Board Book

Shereen Gertel Rutman

Amazon Price: $15.99 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Innovtive Kids Amazon Marketplace: 46 new & used starting at $2.45

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Features:

• The Amazing Game Board Book
• Great for travel!
• 12 different game boards.
• There is something for everyone.
• Age 6+.

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Subjects -> Children's Books -> Ages 4-8 -> General
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

No age limits! 4 out of 5 stars.
14 of 14 people found this review helpful.

This book contains timeless board games and activities that suit any age range. Although the text is geared toward children, many of the games can be enjoyed by both children and their parents. Some of the games include Chinese Checkers, Checkers, Tangrams, and other timeless favorites that have no specific age range to them at all. When I bought this book there was a sticker on the cover that said "Ages 6 to 99" and I certainly think that is true. Any kid or teen will appreciate and enjoy this book on the road or just at home. The price is spectacular concidering all that is inside: you get EVERYTHING you need to play the games, nothing is left out. And best of all, everything is magnetic or sticks into the game board, so there is no chance of the car coming to a halt and all the playing pieces flying all over. I would reccomend this book for everyone.

Editorial Review:

Great for travel! Bound into the book are 12 different game boards, including a foam pegboard, magnetic boards and write-on/wipe-off boards. There is something for everyone. More than 50 games and activities in all. Includes everything you need to play the games, and everything is magnetic or sticks into the game boards for easy storage and contained play. Includes Chinese Checkers, Checkers, Tangrams, Optical Illusions, Secret Codes, WORD Search, Brain Teasers, Memory Match Cards, Tic-Tac-Toe, Superstar Hangman, and many other timeless favorites. Age 6+.

Easy Sight Words Bingo (Phonics Bingo)

School Specialty Publishing

Amazon Price: $9.99 List Price: $9.99 Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks By: Frank Schaffer

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Education and Fun Packed Into One 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Educational and fun all at the same time. This would be great for a classroom since it comes with many bingo cards and hundreds of chips. I just wish the bingo chips were more substantial than perforated paper, but it works. My five year old has learned many words playing this game. Highly recommend.

Editorial Review:

A new twist on an old favorite! Students learn basic words as they race to complete their bingo cards. These colorful games are perfect for teaching the important word recognition skills young learners need. Each set comes with 36 bingo cards, a master chart, calling cards, tokens and suggestions for extra vocabulary-building activities.

Chess: From First Moves to Checkmate

Daniel King

Amazon Price: $8.95 List Price: $8.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Kingfisher Amazon Marketplace: 38 new & used starting at $0.71

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Beginning Book good to learn from and have as a reference 4 out of 5 stars.
95 of 96 people found this review helpful.

This is one of two books written at about a high school reading level that I like that will show a beginner the piece movements, rules and simple strategies (like controlling the centre in the openings). The other book is more text bookish, Learn Chess (author is Alexander) with better instruction but not so full of colour and illustrations. I also like the Juniors Chess for Beginners that is at my reading level and very complete. I first learn chess in England, then have been playing in some chess tournaments that are scholastic.
A very good point is that this book is full of colour and the illustrations are very good. Nice to leave on the table top in the living room, and not to be stuck in the boot when driving! Enjoy!

Editorial Review:

With clear, engaging text written by an International Grandmaster, simple instruc-tions, and stunning illustrations, this new flexi edition of an inspiring title is aimed at the beginner as well as the more experienced player. Players are encouraged to improve their skills with graded puzzles. A comprehensive reference section includes a full glossary and website details. With features on the great personalities of chess and awe-inspiring matches, this title will appeal not only to those new to the game but to the legions of chess players already out there.