Most adults have learned the moves of each chess piece at one time or another even if they've never read a chess book. Chess seems to be such a universally accepted game that you quite likely learned it as a child. Now you wish to learn the basics, expand your understanding of the game, learn new tricks and tactics, and feel more competitive. For most adults we recommend Play Winning Chess. Though it is suitable for children as well, we recommend a few other speciality books for kids.

Starting Out in Chess is an ideal first chess book for all ages. It is clear and concise, helping you learn chess from scratch or brush up on the basics. It covers how to play chess, chess notation and unusual moves, winning and drawing games, material, introduction to tactics, openings, strategy, and inside the chess world.