Author: Murray Chandler & Dr. Helen Milligan
112 pages (hardback)
Gambit Publications (2004)
$14.95

Reviewed by John Donaldson

Gambit Publications is well known for their high quality books for advanced chess players, but their latest offering, CHESS FOR CHILDREN by GM Murray Chandler and Dr. Helen Milligan, is aimed at a different market. This oversized hardback (11 by 8 1/2) assumes that the child reading it has absolutely no knowledge of chess at all so the book starts out with the most basic of the basic – how to move the pieces. The following chapters include learning chess notation, how chess games are drawn, basic tactics, how to begin a chess game and an explanation of planning and strategy. There are numerous tests throughout the book to let the child put their newly acquired knowledge to work.

CHESS FOR CHILDREN is attractively produced and user friendly for kids. The diagrams are large and clear and there are cartoons throughout the book that reinforce the subject matter. Reading levels can vary dramatically for young kids. I would guess CHESS FOR CHILDREN could be read independently by kids ages 10 and up. It's a perfect book for younger ones to work on with their parents.

Recommended.