Everyones 2nd Chessbook

I am using this book as an aid to help my children learn chess. After teaching them the basic moves and letting them experience beginner play, I am using this book to help them understand the game a little deeper. It has been the perfect tool. Don't buy this if you are just learning the game. You will not understand it. Learn the basics first, practice the basics, then buy this book.

It's the bridge that tells you how to start getting better at chess - going from yucking it up over over leaving your pieces unguarded to beginning to study tactics and really getting good at chess. I'd also recommend his articles at Chess Cafe titled Novice Nook and doing everything he says. That's what I'll ne doing. See you at the tournaments.

I am an adult beginner player. After reading a few beginner's books I felt I was ready for more serious work. I had no idea there were so many chess books from which to choose. I was lost. I came across some of Heisman's articles on chesscafe.com and was struck by his clear writing. I immediately went out and purchased Everyone's 2nd Chess Book and read it cover to cover.The book assumes you have basic knowledge of how to play, and that you wish to improve. It provides the basic principles you need to master in your play before you truly improve. I particularly liked that each principle was clearly explained. The ideas for developing a sound thinking process for choosing a move and "board vision" have helped me immensely. Heisman also explains well the transitions from lower level play (Hope Chess) to higher level play (Real chess). After reading this book, any beginner is ready to start playing Real Chess.My play has already improved and I'm keeping up with players who used to eat me alive. In short, this book will fill in any cracks in your foundational knowledge AND help you to make full use of what you already know. It is accessible to younger readers, too (ages 8 and up), and written in a very caring tone. Heisman wants you to win, but also to have fun. I'll be buying this book for my niece (as soon as she remembers how to move her knights). A worthwhile purchase if you are ready to improve but don't know exactly how to begin.

I'm a beginner and I believe Heisman's advice will improve your game. He understands the beginner's chess-mind and makes you aware of how you go wrong.He writes a column for chesscafe.com. Taken togther, all his columns cover 90% of what's in this book. Since I've read all the columns (and previously purchased his "A Parent's Guide To Chess") I felt as if I got little extra for the price. Nonetheless, I don't mind supporting the guy since I think he is doing chess a great service.

This book is for the chess player who knows how the knight moves (but keeps getting forked), gains a piece (but can?t win the game), and thinks ?en passant?is a cheap attempt to steal a pawn. Heisman teaches practical skills you?ll need to progress beyond a novice level: instant pattern recognition; making a material advantage count, and other ?stuff? more advanced books take for granted and therefore never explain. One of the most practical (and immediately effective) skills the author teaches is developing board vision - the ability to see tactical opportunities quickly. If you?re having trouble, for example, ?instantly? seeing squares a knight can reach, you?re going to wander into knight forks and lose games. Practice with a lone knight and empty board, visualize moves, add some pieces and then practice knight forks, the same way a basketball player practices freethrows. I?ve done it with every piece: drilling myself on pins, skewers, and double attacks. It really works, and it?s not just for beginners either! Another skill the author teaches is the art of making material superiority payoff. Since most beginners frequently lose pieces without compensation and yet don?t resign as they know their opponent will probably return the favor, you?ll need to know how to finish that SOB off once you?re a bishop ahead!You?ll enjoy chess more fully (and win more games) once you?ve studied these basic fundamentals. You?ll also be able to benefit from the really hard ?stuff? in more advanced books because you?re proficient in the easy stuff.