by Bruce Pandolfini, 136pp. (2nd edition, 2009 Russell Enterprises)

A Step-by-Step Guide for New Players

In this updated and revised second edition of Let’s Play Chess, you will find the rules, the logic, some of the culture and history, and the basic principles of good chess play.
 
“Chess is by far the most popular board game in the world. There are millions of players of all ages and the number keeps growing. Maybe it’s because you become a general who directs an army against your opponent in an exciting battle of wits. Whatever the reason, chess is challenging and fascinating.
 
“I have tried to be as direct as possible. To make your journey a smooth one, the fundamentals have been broken down into short, logical statements. Each idea is numbered, ordered, and clearly stated. For the most part, statements are linked in graded sequence with the easier ones preceding the harder. The format is unique and easy to follow. You should feel yourself learning step by step.
 
"You will see how chess players think about their moves. Where desirable, explanation has replaced calculation. The stress is on understanding, not memory and there are plenty of diagrams for almost every idea." – From the Author’s Introduction

"A lot of chess books for beginners are written with children in mind. It’s not so easy to recommend a book covering things from the very basics for adult readers. Bruce Pandolfini, born to teach chess if ever a man was, neatly plugs the gap with this well-written primer." – From the review by Sean Marsh, MarshTowers.com

"Let's Play Chess is certainly a unique take on teaching chess basics, and covers everything a beginner needs to know to begin his or her chess journey. There are better options out there for young children, or those who enjoy learning by doing and have an experienced player to guide them. On the other hand, it may be exactly the book for those who like having things laid out logically in a step-by-step format, or for teachers who want a textbook that will make organizing early lessons for children a snap." -Edward Scimia, About.com