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Teach Your Kids Chess
By an Amazon.com customer
Dinosaur Chess: Learn to PlayDinosaur Chess: Learn to Play
Buy new: $32.95
Best software for teaching the rules of the game in fun and engaging way.
Chess Tactics for BeginnersChess Tactics for Beginners
Buy new: $32.95
More appropriate for kids than CT-ART which is too difficult. For a more complete treatment that more or less walks the student through a learning optimal repetition cycle, try Chessimo. Chessimo also has excellent Endgame and Strategy units.
Capablanca's Best Chess Endings: 60 Complete GamesCapablanca's Best Chess Endings: 60 Complete Games by Irving Chernev
Buy new: $11.01 / Used from: $5.49
For when they've reached around 800 level and can follow the flow of a game. Superb real-world endgame technique in action. Kids learn by example!
The Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess StrategyThe Most Instructive Games of Chess Ever Played: 62 Masterpieces of Chess Strategy by Irving Chernev
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $4.70
Also for the post 800 level. Each game teaches one or two specific positional ideas. A wonderful way to learn. They will also learn example openings and tactics at the same time. It's too ambitious, in my opinion to try to take kids through My System or similar comprehensive treatments.
Silman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To MasterSilman's Complete Endgame Course: From Beginner To Master by Jeremy Silman
Buy new: $16.47 / Used from: $19.88
The clear choice for Endgame instruction.
Bobby Fischer Teaches ChessBobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer
Buy new: $7.99 / Used from: $0.01
Critics tend to pan this, but I found that it has several benefits: it's gradual, it's easy, it introduces a chess hero.
Pandolfini's Chess Challenges: 111 Winning EndgamesPandolfini's Chess Challenges: 111 Winning Endgames by Bruce Pandolfini
Buy new: $9.95 / Used from: $4.32
Need something small to carry with you to chess tournaments? Nice for warm-up exercises. The positions are simple to set-up on the board but challenging enough.
Searching for Bobby FischerSearching for Bobby Fischer
Buy used from: $8.99
Watch this first! Most kids are chomping at the bit to play chess after watching this movie. Enjoyable for the whole family.
Logical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained New Algebraic EditionLogical Chess: Move By Move: Every Move Explained New Algebraic Edition by Irving Chernev
Buy new: $14.93 / Used from: $8.40
Teaches that every move has a reason. Good for when they really want to know what's going on in a game. Good for you if you don't really know yourself and don't want to wing it.
Chess Tactics for KidsChess Tactics for Kids by Murray Chandler
Buy new: $12.20 / Used from: $15.27
Fun presentation.
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit chess)How to Beat Your Dad at Chess (Gambit chess) by Murray Chandler
Buy new: $12.20 / Used from: $9.44
Good for the starting tournament player. Deals with Scholar's mate and other essentials that are skipped over in many books.
My System (Chess Classics)My System (Chess Classics) by Aron Nimzowitsch
Buy new: $21.56 / Used from: $17.49
If you're a beginner, read for yourself to get a better understanding of positional chess.
How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course(Exp. 3rd Edition)How to Reassess Your Chess: The Complete Chess-Mastery Course(Exp. 3rd Edition) by Jeremy Silman
Buy used from: $49.95
Also for the adult chess learner. All of Silman's books are excellent.