Complete Chess Player

The answer to that question depends on what kind of book you're looking for. Reinfeld clearly states in his preface that the book is intended to help you become a competent casual player. Because I play chess for fun, I consider it an overlooked classic. All the components of chess are treated in a logical, comprehensible, and concise manner. The book includes plenty of diagrams and examples, and the openings are covered in enough detail for casual players to understand without endless hours of study. The book enabled me to raise my level of play from chaotic to coherent.If you're looking for a book to help you become a competent tournament player, you'll probably consider this book an obsolete relic (3 stars.) While its basic lessons on tactics and endgames are as valid now as ever, the fact is that it was published in 1953. It has no sample games after 1950, and the opening theory is both 50 years old and (by design) shallow. It's also written in the descriptive notation that most serious players no longer use. None of that matters if you play for fun, but it's critically important if you want to be competitive in tournaments.This book met my needs perfectly. What are your needs?

This is the only chess book I have ever seen that is like a very interesting and well-written college freshman textbook. Reinfeldlong ago taught a famous chess course at New York University soI guess that is where he developed it. It covers all the basics of chess very well and would be good for advanced players as areference for what is most important in chess openings such as the Muzio Gambit, Noah's Ark Trap, etc. There are a handful of books as useful for the serious novice as this one, but they predate modern Russian/Yugoslav chess too much. Reinfeld is pushing the Steinitz philosopy but he discusses most modern openings stressing their emphasis on strategy.

This book is a very interesting and entertaining book. You can learn many different chess openings and defenses. If you are a beginner or a serious chess player this book will give you hundreds of diagrams to help create or sharpen your skills. Even famous games are included so that you can follow famous chess player's moves and pick up their winning tactics. This book helps mold you into a very sophisticated chess player. I would highly recomend for any type of chess player.

My Bible. I studied this book several times very thoroughly. I, at one time, had memorized every single one of the illustrative games in the back of the book.I had already been through this book several times. I was stuck in a rut, so I decided to go through this book again.(My library was very small at that time.) This process took about 4 months. Every time there was diagram, I set up the position on the chess board. (I often used 3 chess sets and one pocket set.) I did not move on from one section until I felt I understood EVERYTHING the Author had to say about that subject in that particular section. The result? I went 4-1 in the Open Section of a tournament and went from 1400 to 1700 in ONE TOURNAMENT! (In the 70's.) I have taught chess in several Public Schools and also in private schools here in Pensacola. I have always used this book as my textbook, and have designed an entire curriculum around this one book. I also like Reinfeld's approach to writing. Some Master's seem to write to impress other chess authors and other Chess Masters. Reinfeld is writing for the average Joe. You will readily understand and absorb what he writes. Is your rating below 2000? Do you want to improve? Then DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR, you will NEVER buy a better chess book than this one!

A fun, instructional (and inexpensive) read for newcomers. Introduces novices to basic strategic concepts and elementary tactics, and lays the foundation for further learning. Persuades inexperienced players that they too, with a little knowledge, can master the game. Excellent for casual players, this book will enable one to read more analytical "serious" works. I read Reinfeld in elementary school and learned to love chess. What a bargain!