Chess the easy way (Cornerstone Library books)

I stumbled upon Chess, The Easy Way in a used bookstore and am very glad I bought it. This is not some lightweight Reinfeld cranked out work (I like some of Reinfeld's stuff, but others of his works are pretty assembly line); it is a labor of love. It is not for total beginners either. It is Reuben Fine explaining the entire game of chess in the sam writing style he uses for Ideas Behind the Chess Openings. He intends to isntruct, and this is a great instructional book, with amnay good examples and fine analyses. Definitely a keeper.

I have been coaching chess at the high school and middle school level for 13 years. The teams I have coached have between them 6 state championships and 2 runners up. Chess the Easy Way is THE book that I use as an outline for teaching my players how to play good chess. There is no book that is better! Ten essential rules are given for the opening, middle game and end game. These rules are illustrated and expanded with examples. Fine's logical treatment of all of the basic endings is superior! There are class A (1800-2000) players that could benefit from the information in the endings section. As far as strategy goes, Fine offers all of the essential plans for each kind of positional advantage. For example, "If the [opponent's] pawns are absolutely weak, head straight for the endgame." Or, "If the opponent's king is not safe, the plan will be to attack him." There are others, of course. These rules of strategy are simple enough, but to the typical player under 1400 or so they are essential guidelines and prevent the aimless wandering in hopes of finding the right course in a game. It was a revelation for me to read these ideas so many years ago and give logic and order to my games! Thank you to the late GM Fine. If you find a copy of this book and you are a beginner to an intermediate player (under 1600) buy this book and feel your confidence grow as does your understanding!

I consider this book my bible of chess.It includes ten rules for the opening game, ten rules for the middle game and ten for the end game.My copy of this bible is worn out. I urge a reprinting so that all levels of chess players will benefit. Remember chess is "the game of kings and the king of games."

Fine's Chess the Easy Way is somewhat mis-named. Although the text starts from the rudiments and could be used for self-instruction by an individual who has never played the game before, the tone and point of view are no-nonsense and tell the reader immediately the book is intended for someone with much more than a casual interest in the game. I first was given this book when I was a child. It would probably be more appropriate for a serious high school player. Beginners should be warned that Fine's text takes no shortcuts. He starts at the beginning level but then educates the reader to the level of a confident club player. This presumes that the reader invests the time needed to play through all of Fine's examples. Sometimes it's hard going: Although Fine's writing is clear he does not spoon-feed the reader. Anyone willing to spend the time will be vastly rewarded. I agree with other reviews I have read in this space stating that his examples of openings and some of the illustrative games he chooses are badly out-dated. This is accurate but immaterial: The fundamental principles Fine communicates are timeless. A good re-printing of his book would of course have to change to modern chess notation and would benefit from larger diagrams. Otherwise I think the book could be re-issued unchanged. Those who especially need information about chess openings can seek it in other texts. This is a gem and deserves wider readership.

They GOTTA re-publish this book! Still one of the best for learning chess fundamentals. Mr. Fine arms the reader with easily understood objectives and techniques for each phase of the game: opening, middle, and end. If you know the moves but not much else, beg, borrow, or steal this book!