Product Description
This digital document is an article from U.S. Kids, published by Children's Better Health Institute on September 1, 1997. The length of the article is 389 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Computer chess.(Evaluation) (Software Review)
Publication: U.S. Kids (Magazine/Journal)
Date: September 1, 1997
Publisher: Children's Better Health Institute
Volume: v10Issue: n6Page: p16(2)

Article Type: Product/Service Evaluation

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Computer Chess, Deep Blue, Gnu Chess, Chess Engine, Rybka, Chessmaster, Kotok-Mccarthy, Zillions of Games, Hydra, Colossus Chess, Mizar Chess Engine, Mac Hack, X3d Fritz, Battle Chess, Kaissa, Chessgenius, Sargon, Chessv, Hiarcs, Virtual Kasparov, Crafty, Fruit, Pocket Fritz, Video Chess, Wii Chess, Shredder, List of Chess Software, Anti-Computer Tactics, Deep Thought, Zappa, Mchess Pro, Belle, Chess Titans, Junior, Chessmachine, Power Chess, Toledo Nanochess, Micro-Max, Kasparov Chessmate, Chiptest, Knightcap, Rebel, Fidelity Ultimate Chess Challenge, Microchess, Naum, 1k Zx Chess, Delfi, Hitech, Sjeng, Tom Kerrigan's Simple Chess Program, Silver Star Chess, Cray Blitz, Cilkchess, Socrates Ii, Ikarus, Chess Tiger, Smarthink. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 217. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Computer chess is computer architecture encompassing hardware and software capable of playing chess autonomously without human guidance. Computer chess occurs as solo entertainment (allowing players to practice and to amuse themselves when no human opponents are available), as aids to chess analysis, for computer chess competitions, and as research to provide insights into human cognition. Chess-playing computers are now accessible to the average consumer. From the mid-70's to the present day, dedicated chess computers have been available for purchase. There are many chess engines such as Crafty, Fruit and GNU Chess that can be downloaded from the Internet for free. These engines are able to play a game that, when run on an up-to-date personal computer, can defeat most master players under tournament conditions. Top programs such as the closed-source programs Shredder or Fritz or the open source program Stockfish have surpassed even world champion caliber players at blitz and short...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=68367 ... Read more

Product Description
The two greatest challenges for beginning chess players are not only to survive the opening phase, but also to choose appropriate attack and defense formations in the process.WINNING CHESS OPENINGS shows readers how to do both.In Seirawan's entertaining, easy-to-follow style, readers are shown formations that can be used with either White or Black pieces--a unique concept in chess books.

WINNING CHESS OPENINGS shows beginning chess players how to: Build a safe house for a king Eliminate losses of ten moves or fewer Utilize the elements: time, force, space, and pawn structure Plan strategy based on pawn structure Employ a defense for Black against any White opening Apply an opening for White used by World Champions

Readers will develop a solid understanding of opening principles that they can apply to every game they play-without having to memorize a dizzying array of tedious and lengthy opening lines. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (35)

Best Chess Book!!!
You will be very glad if you use this book as you learn to play chess. You can reference the basic details of the openings you and you opponents use, and the author explains the logic of the moves. A GREAT BOOK!

Sometimes Too Little, Sometimes Too Much
The fifth book of International Grand Master Yasser Seirawan's "Winning Chess" series leaves much more to be desired than his other works, and that may be because this was not a labor of love. In the introduction, Seirawan clearly states that his intention was for book 5 to be about the endgame, which is the area he insists everyone must work on most (he's right). His publishers, though, nearly insisted that a book on openings come first, and this persuasion might have caused this to be a forced labor on his part. This is all conjecture, though, and what matters is the contents of the book itself.

As usual, the information Seirawan provides is gold. His insistence that every opening is about controlling the center is right on the money. His description of opening "rules" (don't develop the queen early, develop knights before bishops, et cetera) is likewise sound. You could expect nothing less from a GM of Seirawan's caliber, really.

The problems appear when Seirawan begins to discuss actual openings themselves. While it is apparent that Seirawan doesn't have much space to delve, many of the openings he discusses are restricted to the main lines only. Instead of going with other variations of these lines, he instead moves on to much more obscure variations that the novice is much less likely to encounter in real play.

The book is divided into Classical King Pawn Openings, Classical Queen Pawn Openings, Modern King Pawn Defenses and Modern Queen Pawn Defenses, followed by tests and solutions. Don't expect to touch on Knight openings like the Reti Opening.

Seirawan's hesitance to cover unconventional openings is well-founded, though, because spending too much time on opening study can be detrimental to the beginner. Ignoring the middle and engames only insures that each step takes the player further and further from his or her comfort zone and into unfamiliar territory. It is far better to learn opening principles and a few good openings than to spend hours and hours and hours grinding away at the million and one variations of the Sicilian Defense.

Particularly off-putting to me, though, was the tone. Seirawan writes as if he is writing to children, which made it very difficult for me to want to read the book. I'm sure the simplicity of the information and the exuberant writing style are beneficial to some, I found it detracted from the value of the information itself. Still, I would recommend the read, even to players of my level (1500) who are probably familiar with many opening variations presented because Seirawan's understanding of what makes a good opening may come as a shock to the amateur.

Tries to fill too many approaches to what other opening books cover
It is not so clear exactly what this book is trying to do. It tries to set itself up as an "Modern Chess Openings" or "Nunn's Chess Openings" when listing variations but fails by being far to sparse to be of any use. It tries to provide some ideas of what is happening in the opening like "Understanding the chess Openings", "Winning Chess Traps for Juniors" or "Ideas Behind the Openings" but yet it is far to sparse with the ideas. The mix and match, trying to do cover all of these in one book is off base. Not enough ideas for the beginner or intermediate level player, Not enough lines/variations to be of any use to an intermediate or advanced player. I think three stars is rather generous, as perhaps the just beyond beginner or just under intermediate range of player might find some small benefit to this book. Some of the "Winning Chess" series books are very well done. This is one of the few books in the series that is at the bottom end.

A perfectly dysfunctional mix of "too much" and "too little"
What's the point of an opening book? There are two possibilities: 1)Build a reperotoire; or 2)Teach you how to play a specific opening. Seirawan's book tries to fill both categories, but spreads itself too thin and ends up being frutstrating.

The structure of WCO is just like MCO, NCO, and all the other "CO"s: it systematically presents opening after opening, giving various explanations and lines. Seirawan's book is geared to much lower rating levels than more complicated books like Modern Chess Openings, but it doesn't cover enough CONCRETE ground to be of any practical use to any rating.

The best example I can find is in the section on Alekhine's Defence. Yasser (or "Yaz" as he's known here in Seattle) gives only a single line for the opening: 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.c4 Nb6 5.ed cd 6.Be3 Nc6 7.Nc3 g6 8.c5! and white apparently has a sizeable advantage. This isn't well supported by theory, and there are many other lines black can opt for (5...ed, 6...g6, 6...N6d7 etc.) that have better results. It's almost as if the author is unwilling to engage in a discussion of the more critical lines.

It may be argued that there is a lot of textual explanation for the openings. Yes, there is, but it doesn't mean anything if you don't know what moves to play. There is little concrete basis for how to play in the openings, so you will inevitably find yourself struggling as soon as you get to the 6th move in an opening Yaz discusses.

I'll spare it the harsh "sub 3-star" rating because Seirawan's style is very engaging and fun to read. Even given the "chessic" inadequacies of the book, it's still very fun to read, and Yasser is self-depricating and funny when he writes (his style is similar to David Norwood's).

In 272 pages, Seirawan manages only a vague definition of each opening. The book doesn't, as many reviews claim, give you a reperotoire for white or black, because there simply aren't enough variations to look at. If you want to pick out an opening for white or black, thumb through WCO. Otherwise, pick up something more specific. You could get the same value from a much smaller, cheaper text.

Not Recommended
If you seriously know nothing about the opening then this book will probably help you some.However, if you already have gathered all the basic concepts (which seem to be mentioned in pretty much every chess book ever made) then this book is a waste of money.Even for the complete beginner, I reccomend the recent books Openings for White/Black Explained by Lev Alburt, Roman D., etc., which can serve as both an introduction and a full course.

I thought this book would give me a repertoir, so I would know some actual openings.However, the coverage of any one opening is so minimal you definitely dont know enough to actually play it in anysort of competetive way.To repeat: this book will not teach you to play openings competetively, it is only an introduction.Seirawan briefly covers classical openings and then covers in slightly more depth his "opening solution" which is the Kings Indian Defense versus d4, the Pirc versus e4, and the Kings Indian Attack as White.First off, I found I do not enjoy playing any of those openings at all.What is the advantage of being able to play the same 5+ moves at the start of every game? Then what after that?Well these openings are not devoid of theory and once you reach the end of the first 5 moves you have just as much work to do as with any other opening;you have just delayed the inevidable conflict for the center--which means a slower, longer, duller game.Secondly, if you do like these openings you will still have to buy more books that actually cover them!

I would reccommend, even if you are a beginner, to buy the Openings Explained for White / Black by Lev Alburt, Roman D.Besides full coverage of the openings in the repertoir book, it also briefly covers some other traditional openings (just like winning chess openings).If you want an introduction you have one in the first chapter; if you want to really LEARN an opening then you have that too.Or if you already have an idea what openings your want to play then DEFINITELY don't get this book, instead get some thorough books on that/those openings. ... Read more

Product Description
The definitive guide to playing chess in cyberspace. Internet resources are all reviewed - from game-play to news, software, interviews and history - with URLs and ratings. Whatever your level or interest, this book claims to find the site with players that are right for you. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A true bodice-ripper!
I found a copy of the first edition of this book while building a website to host games of Go, and as a reference to chess-playing sites, it's very useful. The problem is that websites come and go, so some of the information in the second edition is already out of date.

The interviews with the owners of the sites vary - some are very enthusiastic while others are virtually monosyllabic.

If you are interested in playing Chess over the web, then this is pretty much the only guide available, so it's well worth the price.

Hurst is currently working on a book about Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Kalmykia which promises to be very interesting. ... Read more

Product Description
Discover the Secrets to Successful Chess Strategies!

Now you can use a practical, step-by-step guide to playsuccessful chess --- 100% Guaranteed!

Have you ever admired those who can play a great game of chess and seem to win time after time? Have you ever wished that you could improve your own game?

Without the right tools and information, it could take you years and cost you a small fortune to learn the secrets and techniques to successful chess. Instead of spending a fortune on so-called experts or knocking yourself out with the old trial and error method, there is an easier way to learn how to play a great game of chess.

Now there's good news ....

Chess Strategy breaks the mold of all the other chess books and manuals you have heard and read about. It presents solid, proven steps to help you learn how to create successful chess strategies!

Suppose you could finally play a great game of chess and beat your worst rival?

Sounds too good to be true?

It's not... with Chess Strategy.

CONTENTS


PART I

I. INTRODUCTORY

I. Rules of the Game
II. Notation

II. HINTS FOR BEGINNERS

Elementary Combinations
Simple Calculation
Complications

III. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF CHESS STRATEGY

Introductory
Balance of Attack and Defence
Mobility

IV. THE OPENING

Development of the Pieces
On Losing Moves
Examples of Practical Play
Pawn Play
Pawn Skeleton
The Centre
A. King's Pawn Games
B. Queen's Pawn Games
C. Irregular Openings

V. THE END-GAME

End-games with Pieces
Pawn Endings
Mixed Endings

END-GAMES FROM MASTER-PLAY

Teichmann-Blackburne (Berlin, 1897)
Ed. Lasker-Rotlewi (Hamburg, 1910)
Blackburne-Schlechter (Vienna, 1898)
Bird-Janowski (Hastings, 1895)
Steiner-Forgacz (Szekesfehervar, 1907)
Charousek-Heinrichsen (Cologne, 1898)

VI. THE MIDDLE GAME

General Remarks
Evolution of the Pawn Skeleton
Objects of Attack
"Backward" Pawns
On Fixing a Weakness
Weaknesses in a Pawn Position
Breaking up the King's Side
Doubled Pawns
Illustrations--
v. Scheve-Teichmann (Berlin, 1907)
Marshall-Burn (Ostend, 1907)
Manoeuvres of the Pieces Open Files and Diagonals
Example--
Fred. Lazard-Ed. Lasker (Paris, 1914)

PART II

ILLUSTRATIVE GAMES FROM MASTER TOURNAMENTS

1. Tartakower-Burn (Carlsbad, 1911)
2. Leonhardt-Marshall (San Sebastian, 1911)
3. Spielmann-Prokes (Prag, 1908)
4. Tarrasch-Capablanca (San Sebastian, 1911)
4a. Howell-Michell (Cable Match, 1907)
4b. X. v. Y
5. Griffith-Gunston (London, 1902)
6. Mason-Gunsberg (New York, 1889)
7. Marshall-Tarrasch (Hamburg, 1910)
8. Blackburne-Em. Lasker (Petrograd, 1914)
9. Salwe-Marshall (Vienna, 1908)
10. Teichmann-Amateurs (Glasgow, 1902)
11. Schlechter-Janowski (Paris, 1900)
12. Teichmann-Rubinstein (Carlsbad, 1911)
13. Teichmann-Schlechter (Carlsbad, 1911)
14. Spielmann-Tarrasch (San Sebastian, 1912)
15. Aljechin-Niemzowitsch (Petrograd, 1914)
16. Yates-Gunsberg (Chester, 1914)
17. Berlin-Riga (1908-1909)
17a. Maroczy-Berger (Vienna, 1908)
18. Em. Lasker-Capablanca (Petrograd, 1914)
19. Ed. Lasker-Janowski (Scheveningen, 1913)
20. Ed. Lasker-Englund (Scheveningen, 1913)
21. Ed. Lasker-Aljechin (Scheveningen, 1913)
22. Forgacz-Tartakower (Petrograd, 1909)
23. Yates-Esser (Anglo-Dutch Match, 1914)
24. Atkins-Barry (Cable Match, 1910)
25. Em. Lasker-Tarrasch (Munich, 1908)
26. Capablanca-Blanco (Havanna, 1913)
27. Niemzowitsch-Tarrasch (San Sebastian, 1912)
28. Alapin-Rubinstein (Wilna, 1912)
29. Teichmann-Spielmann (Leipzig, 1914)
30. Tarrasch-Spielmann (Mannheim, 1914)
31. John-Janowski (Mannheim, 1914)
32. Ed. Laskcr-Mieses (Scheveningen, 1913)
33. Barasz-Mieses (Breslau, 1012)

.....And much more !!! ... Read more

Product Description
This compilation of over 125 games systematically illustrates a strategy that succeeds in beating today's best computer chess programs. With a detailed description of the steps that lay the groundwork for victory, this manual includes easy-to-follow diagramed chessboards to illustrate each move. It also contains a description of the conventional principles of chess as well as the strategic differences of computer chess. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

A book just for some
This book is written mainly for those who love to play (and beat) their silicon buddies. There are lot of unusual examples how to play vs computer programs (mainly Fritz 5 and 6, unfortunately), whitch can do the job. There is also the fine intro written by Kasparov himself, and one chapter about chess helping the mentally disabled kids, whitch is nice. But that is it! You wouldnt get any info about chess strategy and tactics that can improve your game at all. The book is of limited use.

Interesting book....
I am class A USCF (around 1900) chess player who is usually crushed by Fritz. Yesterday, I picked this book up in a bookstore and looked at it for about 30 minutes. I found it quite interesting.

Today, the first game I played with Fritz 6 ended in a crushing 25 move defeat for the Silicon giant. I am running a very fast computer with a gig of RAM.I haven't played any other games yet....

Fritz 6 - ,T
Level=Blitz:5'.MyTown, 27.11.2002

1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bf4 Nbd7 4.e3 e6 5.Bd3 Be7 6.Nbd2 0-0 7.Ne5 c5 8.c3 c4 9.Bc2 Qa5 10.g4 Nxe5 11.dxe5 Nd7 12.h4 Qb5 13.Rb1 Qa5 14.g5 Qxa2 15.h5 Nc5 16.g6 h6 17.Bxh6 gxh6 18.gxf7+ Rxf7 19.Rg1+ Kh8 20.Qg4 Bg5 21.f4 Rg7 22.fxg5 Rxg5 23.Qf4 Rxg1+ 24.Kf2 Rxb1 [24...Rg7 25.Qf8+ Rg8 26.Qxh6#;
24...Nd3+ 25.Bxd3 cxd3 26.Rxg1 Bd7 (26...Kh7 27.Qf7+ Kh8 28.Rg8#) 27.Qxh6#] 25.Qf8# 1-0

Interesting but....
Create a V barrage and attack kingside with a pawn storm, this is the idea. Birds opening and variations of the English are perfect according to the author for such an attack based on the computer grabbing material on the other side.It's an interesting idea and the author pursues it through a variety of openings with every move pictured.But let's be clear, this is not a book to learn from. Readers will not gain an understanding of the game beyond Pecci's basic strategic idea outlined above.It's an idea that fails quickly if you don't mate the machine. Fritz 7 blew many of the book's ideas out of the water fairly easily so I wonder how practical the book remains given that Fritz 7 (according to Chessbase and to Kramnik) is stronger by far than version 6.Kasparov's foreward basically says, "interesting idea." but not much more.
If you are interested in computers and want to see how this guy beat them, well it's a fun read.If you are rated under 1800 and want to LEARN, then head for another book.

Best chess bookaround....
Over the years, I have read many, many chess books. Dr. Pecci's is the first to keep me up at night - yes, just like a great thriller! This is truly a terrific book. It is extremely well thought out and brilliantly written. I was having all sorts of problems beating Fritz (6 or 7) as well as Shredder 6, on their highest levels. After reading and studying Dr. Pecci's book - I now kick butt!! The ideas put forth in Chess: A Psychiatrist Matches Wits with Fritz, also works well against opponents that eat and get angry. And they do get angry when you beat them with a King Side Attack with your entire force when theirs is split between offence and defense � on opposite sides of the board. Let me also mention that the book is put together like a $100 coffee table book. It is made of the finest paper, is heavy weighted and a beautiful book to behold, even if you know nothing about E4 or Nf3. If you like chess, get this book � you�ll love it! ... Read more

Product Description
Maybe you're someone who likes to play Chess or Checkers just for fun, or maybe you're someone who wants to become a champion at these games.Either way, this eBook is for you.


It was written by a Champion Winner, Edward Lasker, from the early 1900's.It has complete instructions for the beginner and valuable suggestions. ... Read more

Product Description
This digital document is an article from Winnipeg Free Press, published by Thomson Gale on December 22, 2007. The length of the article is 476 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: Chess / Cecil Rosner.(Special Section 1)
Author: Gale Reference Team
Publication: Winnipeg Free Press (Magazine/Journal)
Date: December 22, 2007
Publisher: Thomson Gale
Page: f9

Distributed by Thomson Gale ... Read more

Product Description
Arimaa is a modern abstract strategy game with potential to rival the majesty of classics such as chess and Go.  In Beginning Arimaa, two-time Arimaa World Champion Fritz Juhnke tackles two questions in alternate chapters: How does one play Arimaa well?  And how does one judge that Arimaa is worth playing?The strategy chapters are replete with diagrammed positions to illustrate the fundamental concepts of Arimaa play.  Juhnke takes the reader step by step from basic winning configurations, through capture techniques, on to strategies that befuddle even experts.Interspersed are Juhnke's reflections on how one might recognize a classic game in its infancy.  Only the test of time can prove a game worthy, but as Juhnke recounts the brief history of Arimaa, a compelling case emerges that something extraordinary is just beginning. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Good Introduction
I am a relative novice at Arimaa with about sixty games played on their website.After starting up the bot ladder I quickly discovered that Arimaa is (1) fun and (2) not as easy to play well as it looks.Hoping to improve my game, I ordered this book authored by one of the linchpins of the Arimaa community.

I was not disappointed.The strengths of the book come from its clear exposition of beginning and intermediate principles backed up by ample game examples and expert analysis.The author also imparts the history and philosophy of Arimaa throughout, which I found interesting as well.Bottom line, my game improved and I understood what I was doing more.The ideas discussed are fundamental to the game, making this a worthwhile investment for any newer player.

An Invaluable Addition to the Collection of any Abstract-Strategy Lover
I am one of Arimaa's more experienced players. I bought this book mostly out of devotion to one of my favorite games. However, having attained a 0-53 record against its author, Mr. Juhnke, one might rightfully surmise that I was hoping to get some insight into how his brilliant mind ticks. With a title like Beginning Arimaa, I expected the book to cover only the very basics of Arimaa play, ideas that a veteran like myself would be delighted to finally see printed and bound, but that would serve only as a review. Indeed, the book does cover topics that are of special interest to beginners, and I found myself motivated to read about them partly because of the elegance and newfound clarity of the way in which they are taught. However, I was delighted to discover that my search for new knowledge was not in vain. When I was finished with the book, I had a much greater grasp of, for example, elephant mobility and the use of linchpins for securing camel-held hostages. Nor does the book suffer from tunnel-vision in its focus on Arimaa play. Throughout the book, Juhnke offers recesses to talk about Arimaa's history and its relation to the outside world of abstract-strategy games and computers. He gives an eloquent argument for what qualities make a game great and why Arimaa possesses such qualities. Beginning Arimaa is definitely a fitting beginning for both Arimaa literature and the adventure of a new Arimaa player. ... Read more