Learn to play chess

There is a widely held popular belief that chess is “too deep” for the average person.  The idea that one has to be “brainy” to play the game is pure nonsense.  No more brains are required to play this fascinating game than are needed to master contract bridge or gin rummy.  There are millions of chess players in the world and most of them are just ordinary people of average intelligence.  In Russia—where chess is as popular as baseball in the United States—children play chess almost before they learn to speak.  In this country, chess is growing rapidly in popularity and is played by men and women of all ages.  Thousands of children are playing the game in their homes and in school clubs.

It is true that the chess expert—or master, as he is called—can perform remarkable mental feats on the chessboard, but the same thing could be said of other games and sports.  The contract bridge master, for instance, is able to make intricate plays which are far beyond the capacity of the average person—but this does not deter a great host of bridge players from enjoying their favorite indoor sport.  Similarly, most chess players are incapable of executing the deep combinations and strategic maneuvers of the chess master, but they play their own brand of chess and enjoy it.  The ordinary player is able to admire the beauty and art of master play, the amazing tactics and perfect timing displayed by these experts, but he plays with opponents of his own strength and enjoys his own games best of all.

We invite you to learn to play chess because it is by far the best two-handed game in existence.  It is an exciting, thrilling game—a lifelong source of interest and amusement.  An absorbing hobby, chess will provide you with relaxation and recreation in greater measure than any other home game.

Chess is easy to learn.  The chess rules are explained in Part One.  Photographs, diagrams and examples clarify each definition.  With the aid of this visual method of instruction, you can learn how the chessmen move in a few minutes and master all the chess rules in one or two evenings.  At the same time, the illustrations and examples will give you a working knowledge of the game so that you will be able to start playing just as soon as you have completed the first section of the book.  Naturally, you will not be able to defeat somebody who has been playing chess for years, but you will be able to play with other beginners and thoroughly enjoy your battles, even though an expert might shudder at some of your moves.  As you gain experience you will become more skillful and will be able to appreciate the finer points of the game. 

When you finish Part One you will also understand “chess notation”—the simple code used by chess players to record the moves of games.  In the past, this chess notation has been a stumbling block to those who have attempted to learn to play chess from books.  At first sight, these mysterious symbols are incomprehensible.  However, they are just abbreviations based on a simple method of naming the chessmen and the squares of the chessboard.  The gradual and painless way in which chess notation is introduced and illustrated in this book will enable you to master it without conscious effort on your part. 

A knowledge of chess notation is by no means essential.  There are thousands of chess players who have never even heard of it.  However, when you are able to read chess notation the entire field of chess literature is opened up.  You can play over and enjoy games from master tournaments, as published in newspapers, chess magazines and books.  Moreover, a knowledge of chess notation increases your skill.  It gives you a familiarity with the squares of the board and helps you to think in the proper terms.

The second and third sections are devoted to a thorough explanation of the basic principles of chess.  Particular emphasis is laid on the fundamentals of the opening phase of the game, where beginners are most likely to go astray.  Each principle is illustrated by examples.  Entire games are reproduced and explained in detail.  Unlike other chess books, you do not need to refer to a chessboard to understand these examples and illustrative games.  You can follow them mentally with the aid of the diagrams showing the positions after each move or short series of moves.