Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess...a book review
Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess by Bobby Fischer, Stuart Margulies, Don Mosenfelder
It is said that the three most important of elements of chess to learn first are - Tactics, Tactics, Tactics!
And this is what "Bobby Fischer Teaches Chess" is all about.
At the outset it should be understood that (despite the title) the book is not a comprehensive treatment of the subject of chess. Its purpose is to teach the absolute beginner the basics of one aspect of chess, and that is - tactics - mostly within the framework of checkmating attacks. It is essentially a beginner's introduction to basic chess tactics, and nothing more.
The value of the book is that this is precisely what the beginner needs to focus on when first learning the game. It is essential to have a firm grasp of fundamental chess tactics before moving on to other aspects of the game. The fact that the material is presented within the motif of attacks on the opponent's king is all the better. After all, checkmate is the ultimate goal for winning the game. So this would be an excellent book to begin your chess education.
The format of the book is that of a structured learning course, using a series of exercises or puzzles to solve (one per page) which reinforce the concept under consideration. The book begins by explaining how the pieces move and capture, then quickly moves on to very basic checkmate tactics. The exercises start with relatively simple scenarios, then progress in complexity in order to reinforce the reader's comprehension and build up his/her level of tactical sophistication. The book is easy to read (it does not use chess notation) in the sense that it should take on average less than 60 seconds to complete an exercise (i.e., a page). It took my eight year old (at the time) daughter only a few hours, over several days, to complete the book. Because she was able to quickly and successfully absorb the concepts (she's pretty smart), it also increased her enthusiasm for playing the game.
I have recommended this book to many players new to the game, and to a person they all agree that this was a great book to begin learning chess.
Bottom Line - If you are a chess beginner who doesn't know a pin from a fork from a skewer, then this is the book to start with. It is simply the best and easiest first introduction to basic chess tactics primer. Upon completing it, you should not only be able to effectively employ basic checkmating tactics against your opponent's King, but also be able to quickly recognize and defend against such threats to your own monarch!
The book will start you on your journey of playing good chess!
https://www.amazon.com/Bobby-Fischer-Teaches-Chess/dp/0553263153/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1477027993&sr=8-1&keywords=bobby+fischer+teaches+chess
A suggestion. If you are an adult with a child who is new to chess and who will be using this as his/her first chess book to learn the game, I recommend that you sit with and work through the book - the entire book - together with the child. It shouldn't take long, no more than a few hours over several days at most. Your participation and encouragement will be crucial to their motivation for learning about chess. Understanding and completing all of the lessons will imbue them with confidence and increase their enjoyment when playing the game. Working together will also provide a rewarding bonding experience for both of you. Give it a try. Your child will love you for it, and remember and reflect upon the experience for the rest of their life - especially as they get older, and into adulthood.
And if you are a child, ask your parent or other adult to work with and study the book together with you. Trust me when I say that they will enjoy the experience as much as you do!
P.S. For additional practice in checkmating attacks see "Simple Checkmates" by A.J. Gillam. For an instructive introduction to the most important tactical motifs (pins, forks, double attacks, etc.) see the classic tactics primer "Winning Chess" by Irving Chernev and Fred Reinfeld.
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Discover more helpful and instructive chess resources, including other book recommendations, in my Chess.com blog.
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