When I started chess in my high school I used this. I found it very good for my beginners and used it 5 yrs until my retirement. I understand the instructor that took over the chess club has expanded the program for the school district and continues to use this. Hope this helps.
Opinion: Nunn Books (1) Learn Chess Tactics -vs- (2) Chess Tactics Workbook for Kids
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Both are very good. I like all John Nunn's books, they are very well thought out and clearly written. His Chess Course based on Lasker's games is a lost classic. It ought to be much better known. His game collections have a lot to recommend too at whatever level you are - you don't have to follow all the variations.
So, just wondering if anyone can comment on Either Specifically, or both?
I'm trying to decide between these two Nunn books. Both "seem" very similar, with just the older one (Learn) being a little longer.
Anyone?
Thanks
I have John Nunn's "Learn Chess Tactics" but I do not have the workbook. Gambit have a sample of the first 18 pages . Looking at that, I think that the older Learn Chess Tactics has the slight advantage as a first tactics book. Both books have a good selection of graded difficulty tactics exercises, organised by theme/motif, but Learn Chess Tactics has slightly more explanation on how to find and create tactical opportunities. But you won't go wrong with either book, especially if combined with a general introductory book, like John Nunn's "Learn Chess" or Seirawan's "Play Winning Chess".
Thanks Dan.., I was leaning that way, especially as he uses actual matches in his examples in "Learning Chess Tactics."
BETWEEN Nunn and "Chess Tactics for Champions," by Susan Polgar.... any thoughts?
The General Intro book has been tough as there are a lot. And all share a lot of the same info.
Yes, there is Nunn, but was also looking at:
"A World Champion's Guide to Chess: Step-by-Step Instructions for Winning Chess the Polgar Way" by Susan Polgar (anyone got experience with this?)
These have caught my eye:
"Chess for Beginners" by Antonov has a lot of Mid/End game info, especially a look at Defenses.
"Quick Chess Rules" by Lyudmil Tsvetkov, offers just that, a quick boot-camp type of How-To approach to getting through chess. Nothing deep, just an explained Bullet List of Golden Rules, so to speak. Or a more detailed, "Chess Express." And he has a nice little book on "Simple Chess Openings", listing Opening/Defense, Opening/Defense...
There is a lot to be said for sticking with one author to start with. If you are getting Nunn's tactics book, his Learn Chess will complement it perfectly. I have looked at some of the other books you mention, but have not read/worked through them. The introductory chess book I used was Seirawan's Play Winning Chess (which I also recommend as a first chess book).
Personally, I would steer clear of books that go into too much opening theory at first. Any of the comprehensive introductory books (Nunn, Seirawan, Polgar) will give the general opening principles, and they will take you a long way to start with. Seriously, any one of these books will get you headed down the right path:
- John Nunn: Learn Chess
- Yasser Seirawan: Play Winning Chess
- Susan Polgar: Champion's Guide to Chess
I could add several more, but that won't help. Any one of those books is much better than none, and any of them will get you moving in the right direction.
following my thought of sticking with one author, you could very sensibly go with either
- John Nunn: Learn Chess + Learn Chess Tactics, or
- Susan Polgar: Champion's Guide to Chess + Chess Tactics for Champions
Either set will take you a very long way.
Oh, setting up another decision tree for me (grin.)
I have to read through Polgar's Tactics sample a little more. I'm liking Nunn's LEarning Tactics, but not so much his Learn Chess.
Either way, everything is getting ordered tomorrow, whatever it is 8P
Appreciate all the brain burn in here.
Damn, I thought I was helping simplify it down to just one "A or B" choice. If you don't like Learn Chess that much, then go with the Polgar books. They are good. And as a bonus, they have a larger number of exercises, so you won't run out as fast.
Both have been recommend.
Both have strong reviews.
The older (Learn Chess~) is longer and more conversational.
Both have plenty of exercises.
Anyone familiar with either or both ?
Thanks