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Tuesday August 10, 2004

Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess

A few weeks ago, I mentioned that I was trying to find a way for my son to improve his chess game and to play chess against the computer, without getting thrashed by the computer program each time, getting frustrated and giving up. I got some great suggestions.
Because of this, my interest in chess has grown over the last few weeks too. I last played it seriously in my teens. I was never great, but I could give my friends a good game. I'd never read a book on chess before (apart from learning the rules of the game), so when I saw this book at last months library book sale for 25c, I snapped it up.
Bobby has worked with a couple of educators to present the information in a format that's not only easy to understand but fun to learn. It's one of those books where (apart from the introductory chapter which describes the rules of the game) you just keeping reading the pages on the right side of the book, then when you get to the end, you turn it upside down, and read the other half.

For a couple of pages, you are taught some new chess strategy, then you try to apply it to some typical chess board problems. The answer to each problem (and an explanation of why this is so), will be at the top of the next page. Good fun and very educational.

My only problem is that the book just teaches end game scenerios. You have to have the pieces on the board in these positions before you can apply the guidelines that Fischer proposes. Easy for Fischer no doubt, but not for us mere mortals. What I need now is a good book that will help me with my beginning and middle game.

If anybody has any recommendations, please let me know.

[Technorati Tag: books]

[Technorati Tag: Chess]

( Aug 10 2004, 01:39:35 PM PDT ) [Listen] Permalink Comments [8]

Comments:

You do realise that Fischer is a crazy racist -- right? Not that I wouldn't buy a book for my kids knowing this. After all, I did give "KKK Karate Kids" to my boy ;)

Posted by Anonymous on August 10, 2004 at 06:59 PM PDT #

Yeah, Bobby Fischer is basically a Nazi (he claims the Holocost didn't exist), but I would hope that his chess books don't reflect this. Buying the book used also keeps him from getting any more money.

Posted by Kevin on August 10, 2004 at 08:16 PM PDT #

I can assure you, there's not a racist word in this book. ;-) I'll admit he's got an ego the size of a small planet, but it's fairly well under control here - just the occasional gloat on how he beat <fill-in-the-blank> with the following combination.

Posted by Rich Burridge on August 10, 2004 at 08:26 PM PDT #

Hi Rich, get your son 'Fritz and Chesster' from Chessbase (you can read some reviews at amazon). It's quite funny, my little brother likes it. :) If you're a beginner you should get a tactics book and study it.

Posted by Christoph on August 11, 2004 at 01:03 AM PDT #

The thing with using end game scenarios in teaching chess is motivation. The purpose of starting with end game scenarios (no pun intended) is to motivate de reader to think ahead n moves with the ultimate chess goal: checkmate, in mind and not intermediate objectives which can be a little less motivating for the beginner. Thinking ahead is the essential skill necessary for playing chess. Of course there other skills, even more important ones, like starting moves, strategic placement and specific tactic moves, but thinking ahead is the one you should master first.

Posted by Paulo L. de Carvalho on August 11, 2004 at 03:40 AM PDT #

Fritz has a 'sparring' mode, where it'll try and work out your level and play appropriately. Unfortunately, this often means that it'll play a strong game in the opening, realise it's up the equivalent of a few pawns in position, and then leave one of its minor pieces en-prise to make up the difference. :/

Still, it's far less soul-crushing than playing an engine on full strength. As for other books, Jeremy Silman's _Reassess your Chess_ and _Winning Chess Strategies_ are very accessible. I won't recommend any opening or endgame books, just 'cause people tend to overconcentrate on those and buy books about the position after move 20 of the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon before they have a basic feel for how to play the game well.

You can see a badly-taken photo of my bookshelf for some more ideas. :)

- C.

Posted by Chris Ball on August 11, 2004 at 06:56 AM PDT #

Thanks Christoph, Paulo, Chris!

I'll certainly be getting Fritz and Chesster for Duncan (and maybe for me ;-)

I'll also be looking out for the books you mentioned Chris. There is another library book sale this weekend, so something might show up there too.

Paulo, I agree. I understand why a lot of books (including Fischers) concentrate on the end game. It makes good sense. I think I'm now ready to learn how to improve my starting strategy.

Posted by Rich Burridge on August 12, 2004 at 02:49 AM PDT #

Well...isn't bascially every start of a chess game close to its end ? Shepherd's Mate can give you the end game in 3 moves. ;-)

Posted by Frank on August 17, 2004 at 01:52 PM PDT #