Build Up to Chess

By Charles James

"Build Up To Chess" is distinctly different from most "learn to play chess" books. Written by an experienced chess teacher it begins with "simple" games where children learn to use only one or two types of man at a time, learn to use men together, and learn to formulate and to execute plans from the outset. The common chess terms such as castling, check, checkmate, en passant, exchange, file, promotion, rank, sacrifice, stalemate, the opposition, and zugzwang are explained in context.

By the time the child has completed the exercises the child will be competent to operate 16 men using six types of move. Then the book gives general advice on what the team should be seeking to achieve. Developing pieces, controlling the centre and grinding down the opposition are stressed. In the exercises the child has already learned almost all the endgames. Openings are lightly covered but the principles are explained clearly.

The personal development of the child player is outlined, along with chess notation and the distinction between Rules and Good Manners.

The book is ideal for children and for adults seeking to teach children.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles James
• Release date: Dec 25, 2016
• ISBN: 9781370940691

Charles James

For about twenty years I ran an immigration and political asylum lawyer practice in Bradford West Yorkshire. Some clients travelled literally hundreds of miles to see me. My business cards were posted to Kurdistan, Georgia, and Pakistan by satisfied clients.I have been active in the Labour Party since I joined in 1972.. Politically my claim to fame is that in 1986 I increased the Labour vote 80% to take the third safest Tory seat on Bradford Council. I increased that vote 47% four years later to record the highest ever vote for any candidate in the ward.My immigration and political asylum experience comes over in the "Don Hewson" series of novels.

Book preview

BUILD UP TO CHESS

© Charles James

COPYRIGHT ASSERTION

© Charles James

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means without the permission of the author.

The author wishes to express his thanks to www.chessvideos.tv for their tremendous software.

.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

Chapter 1 Why play chess?

Chapter 2 Good manners and rules

Chapter 3 How the men move

Chapter 4 Training games to build your skills

Fox and Geese

Kings and Pawn

Kings and Pawns

Kings and 2 Pawns Each

Jesmond

King and Castle Against King

King and 2 Bishops Against King

Knights Fantastic

Knightmare

Chapter 5 Setting out the board and pieces

Chapter 6 How to think -Controlling the centre

Chapter 7 Forks, pins, and skewers

Chapter 8 Exchanges and sacrifices

Chapter 9 Endgames

Chapter 10 How to Open

Chapter 11 Recording the game

Chapter 12 I Keep Losing!

Chapter13 I’m good, I’m confident, now what?

Chapter 14 Fun variations on chess

Introduction

This is the book I needed when I was a child learning to play chess. I hope it will help many other children towards having fun in chess.

I started a children’s chess club at a YMCA more than 30 years ago. Within months we had 22 children playing and learning. Since then I have taught chess to many other children, and sometimes to adults.

I have seen what problems people have in learning chess, and with this book I think I have made it possible for anyone to succeed in playing chess.

Many people are not taught chess properly. Far too often someone seems to say

Here you are – 16 men who move in 6 different ways – get on with it!

That is not the best way to teach people to play chess.

When you learn to play a piano you do not start with a piano concerto. Instead, you start with scales and exercises. As you master each level you move on gradually to more complicated pieces, with lots of practice at each level. Then by the time your teacher gives you a piano concerto you are ready for it.

This collection of build up games works the same way. You start with a simple game involving one or two men and work on it until you really deeply understand how each piece moves. Once you deeply understand how a man moves you will never forget.

You also need to gain experience in using the men as a team. This is not easy so you build up to it slowly. Simple games that require thought build the mental muscles.

You have to gain experience in making plans, having strategies, and thinking what the other player might do.

When you have completed these games you will have a far better understanding of chess than most beginners. When you have mastered this book you will be a very competent beginner.

Then you need to play many games of chess against dozens of opponents. You will lose lots of