Product Description

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.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27221 in Books
• Published on: 1990-01-11
• Format: Box set
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 96 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780894807671
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From School Library Journal
Grade 4 Up-- Instead of technical language and difficult diagrams, The Kids' Book of Chess explains all the basic elements of the game in a colorful, dramatic story of the medieval battlefield that the chessboard represents. All the pieces from pawn to king are introduced according to the role they play in the chess game and compared to their actual role in medieval life. How to begin the game, move the pieces, and develop a winning strategy are well described in clear, simple text; accurate diagrams; and delightful illustrations of medieval life. This a revision of Kidder's 1970 Illustrated Chess for Children (Doubleday; o.p.). New drawings, illustrations, and a slightly different format make this a welcome addition for novice and experienced chess lovers. --Pamela K. Bomboy, Chesterfield County Public Schools, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Back Cover
In the Middle Ages the knight was the ultimate warrior. In his suit of armor, on his spirited horse, he could overcome any resistance-as in the eleventh century, when it took only seventy knights to conquer the entire civilized kingdom of Sicily! Today the movements of medieval warriors are preserved in the moves of pieces on a chessboard; and by going back to the life and times of the Middle Ages, Harvey Kidder is able to explain the game of chess in an uncommonly exciting way.

About the Author
Illustrator Kimberly Bulcken Root is a graduate of Parsons School of Design. She made her picture book debut with A Bed for the Wind. Her illustrations have appeared in The Nation, Forbes, and The Wall Street Journal. She and her husband, the illustrator Barry Root, live in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Author Harvey Kidder, a resident of Westchester County, New York, originally wrote THE KIDS' BOOK OF CHESS for his son.

Customer Reviews

Chess Set and Book together for Beginners
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.

For younger kids
As a sixth grader I found the book to be written more for a parent to be able to read, but to a small kid. It covers the very basics and is ok. I didn't really need the cheap chess set that came with it - but the chess set would be fine for a first time kid. I enjoyed my CHESS FOR JUNIORS book alot more which had far better lessons and ART OF THE CHECKMATE.

Pieces may crack but the book is good
I got this set and book two christmases ago. I feel that the book is good if you need to learn how the pieces move and a little bit about how to use simple strategies (it is very basic). After two years I have only had one of the pieces form a crack and used glue on it, so it was no big deal. I ended getting a regular staunton tournament set that was solid anyway.
For the price this is still not a bad deal if you plan to eventually upgrade your set, and the book anyway. Don't expect anything fancy.