How to Win at Chess: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Beyond

ELO IMPROVEMENTWhen I first picked up this book, I was an 800-1000 elo player and slowly going up. Once I was done (which did take a while) I was a 1000-1400 player. This book also helped me majorly with openings. I had been going through opening changes twice a week almost, but once I had read this book, I was playing one consistantly and getting better at it.INTERNETA review that I read says that the internet connections were irritating but I find them extremely helpful. They also provide a more indepth study for players who want to get really into chess. there also optional so don't feel pressured.OVERALLThis book was easy to read and engaging. The author really does a great job with this book and I highly recommend it for any players between just starting to early intermediate. thsi is a must get for players wanting an early boost in skill.

I am 71 years old and first played chess aboard ship on a westpac in 1974. My Chess Library is over 200 books from all the top grand masters who wrote teaching books going back to the 1970s. My only video teaching is from DVDs and Workbooks narrated by Elliott Neff. I have the Chess Genius Pro Computer that I use often. I have a small 10 inch magnetic chess set that I take with me on the road and also join my old chess master friend for lunch once a week at our favorite restaurants and play while waiting for our lunch to be served.Now the constructive criticism based on just receiving the book and not reviewing it totally cover to cover, yet. The book starts off with a five star rating because of the spiral binding advantages over all paperback and hard cover books I own. The only negative is the dark squares are too dark making it difficult to differentiate the dark chess pieces when on the dark squares. The teaching in the introduction chapters is very well written and in total agreement with the teachings in the better chess teaching books I own. The trouble with paperback and hardback books is that as you move through them it is difficult to read the pages close to the binding. With this spiral book, the spiral is heavy duty and the cover is hard and the pages are also heavier. You can easily lay the book flat and also open the book 360 degrees easily. I love it. With the more complex books, I use my 10 inch chess set to lay out the board to agree with the book for a better learning experience. The authors do not always have the best moves, and we really need to think for ourselves and not just use textbook direction.This book should be used with and without a good chessboard with the file letters and rank numbers for quickly teaching beginners. Eventually as you become an intermediate to advanced player you should play on a board without the file letters and rank numbers for serious tournament playing.As the authors recommended playing better players as I do is the best experience to advance your play.About me. I am a retired Electrical and electronic engineer and engineering manager. Engineers are by nature your better problem solvers especially after they gained some practical experience. My much younger educational years was with shops in wood, metal, and machine shop. Since I been retired, I used my hand and machine tools to make my children and grandchildren Chess Boards and Chess Pieces out of quality hardwoods. I also purchased he same small 10 inch magnetic chess sets and chess books for kids for the grandchildren who are more into playing and learning.PS: I will update my review after I reviewed the entire book at least once. After going through over 200 other books, I will be able to provide an update on the quality between the covers. The author said this is a book for beginners up to the intermediate level, so we should not expect to become a grandmaster from just reading this book.https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z9G456?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_titlehttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B079RKQDN3?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_titlehttps://www.amazon.com/Electronic-Chess-Board-Set-User-Friendly/dp/B0CHW3V5LS/ref=sr_1_7?crid=OA3I62YT8Z7Q&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.qOfhrsMl-3kR7Q0VBV-dDo_c_Vp5G1q3gz_HQy0t7fOPZdRrg7AXN_9BM_4OkyJdvXGOXOHYUtkULlWBBTqwd5TF_vXQLkjOMcyQH-djyNxeBbfYw18Ab5iQdl1qdyzlh55wB6ZH4KhNEyZOnwtQNh68CVLW6ixVbyJOUNAXdCOT_msilUPNDbS931UMTF9jNG2lAm6zO_tt_T3X-WrnoBPK2TT5jHl-blEkW-oeIVdzRDoe-NvkI24pOqHc-ZH5zfXE7HvrjINb2euJWRGguk9KBDHXtp6iQ85cbjoKIZY.fIDM53sZAGVS3tCrDYraHfMD4leMl2TopHOeRi2BVvc&dib_tag=se&keywords=millennium+chessgenius+pro&qid=1752176051&sprefix=Millennium+ChessGenius%2Caps%2C145&sr=8-7

This book is a new and refreshing guide for understanding the fundamentals of chess, and most importantly, how to study openings and develop a strategy (notice I didn't say "it outlines openings and strategy." I said "how to study openings and develop a strategy"). It is THE must-have chess book for the 21st century. Levy does a stellar job at writing in a way that is engaging to the reader. The best part is the QR codes that let the reader practice the very concepts the book outlines! You don't need a physical board (which was essentially required for every other book that predates this one). Just scan the QR code, and be transported to Levy's website, where the concepts are explained in further detail, and you can practice!This book is perfect for people who are completely new to the game of chess, as well as those who would consider themselves intermediates. The pacing and flow of the book are nothing short of perfection. And most importantly, it is not a dry read by any means. I have read chess books that were likely written to cure insomnia. This is NOT one of those books.

The book is excellent, the online resources you get access to along with the book are phenomenal and worth far more than 10 times the price of this book. From beginner to intermediate player, this book is not gold, it's DIAMONDS!

This book was exactly what I needed and was looking for! Thanks, Levy for putting this together! It’s clear, thorough, yet understandable. It’s been the sole driver of my improvement. I look forward to book #2 soo much!

I picked this book up on sale to learn more about playing and improving my chess playing. I picked up some great points and will be using them as I play new games. I recommend this book to any chess player, but specifically to new and intermediate players.

Shows you some solid, unusual openings and good middle game techniques. Good writing. The author reminds me of Nimzovich.

The boys got into playing chess at lunch and reading this book has helped me spank them and send them home crying. Great for beginners and easy to follow along.