Product Description
A revised edition of the best-selling Everyone's 2nd Chessbook, by National Master Dan Heisman. Heisman has produced many winning students, and now he can help you, too! Packed with sound advice, real games, photos of players, the light-hearted artwork should lighten your load. You will discover how to play better as well as how to keep parents, or mentors, from having a heart attack whenever a good move is missed!
Customer Reviews:
A mixed bag.......2007-09-23
This book is misleadingly titled. You'd think, from the title, that the book would be aimed at helping those people who are moving beyond the "this is how to castle" stage of learning to play chess. Yet, in reality, this book is actually primarily aimed at chess teachers, and chess teachers of children, at that.
It's really pretty short on actual explanations and things for a student reading this book themselves to do, and often it fails to explain itself clearly (the "glory" attack being a typical example of this.) The book assumes that the reader, who is obviously assumed to be a chess teacher, will understand the references the author uses and will make up appropriate examples for their own students. A -student- reading this book directly is often left to scratch their head in puzzlement as a concept that seems like it would be interesting if only some explanation were given is briefly mentioned and then moved on from (as in the case of that same "glory" attack.)
Too, it spends an inordinate amount of time on the problems children learning chess face. Which is fine - to an extent - but it really shouldn't be dwelled on at such length in a book that's intended to be, as the title says, for everyone!
In short: don't bother with this book if you're anything but a children's chess teacher.
Very practical and helpful........2007-07-26
This book begs for either a sequel ("Everyone's 3rd..."???) or an expansion. The idea is great and the suggestions are excellent. I found it interesting that the thinking processes and playing style of young players are quite similar to the adult beginners. The concept of "Hope Chess" is quite revealing (One makes a move and waits for the opponent, HOPING, seeing THAT move, one can find a solution AT THAT TIME; that is not thinking ahead of the opponent's next move). But, it would be nice to have a little more advice included, since the book is short.
Excellent for players just starting out, but really, really as the cover says: a 2nd chessbook.......2007-03-30
Some of you may be looking at this book after reading Heisman's "Novice Nook" columns on Chess Cafe. I love those columns and seem to learn a little (I'm one of those poor adult players who improves *very* slowly) from each one. Given my large chess library and years of study (I said I was slow), I resisted buying this book because I thought it would be too basic. I was right, it is too basic, but I still came away with some memorable nuggets and highly recommend it to starting players (or their parents if they are younger).
The book is a short 120 pages, well illustrated with clear diagrams, highlighted guidelines and full of mnemonic devices to help learning (like calling the lines 2 rooks can use to push a King into checkmate "Ruler Force Fields"). It has chapters on etiquette and the rules of tournaments, on the basics of how to use the clock, as well as "technical" material about when to capture, when to castle, how to convert a major advantage into a win, etc. If you've read Heisman's columns or his excellent article about "Real Chess", you'll have seen this before. It's good stuff...I wish I had gotten it as my 2nd chessbook.
If you already have 2 chess books (or 20), I recommend Heisman's "Looking for Trouble" which is a unique tactics book where the point of the problems is to come up with the right defense instead of the usual attacking motifs.
Good for absolute beginners........2007-03-22
I purchased this book as a way to fill the void in any of the fundamental knowledge I may have. I am currently rated in the high 1400's, but felt that I may have missed a few things along the way. While this book didn't really provide any new information to me, it did kind of help me focus of the small things. A more advanced book can sometimes make you feel like you have a huge amount of information to absorb, while taking it in small steps like this book helps you feel as though the task of mastering chess is possible if taken in small doses. So, if you have the basics down, skip this book, if you are tired of stupid OTB errors, then maybe you should try this book out. After you've finished this book, you know that you aren't going to make an error that will cost you a game to a U1200 player. Most embarassing!
How to teach the kids to play chess........2007-03-10
In college, I was a fair player - I was playing at expert strength (low 2000's USCF) towards the end of my serious playing days. But, then life happened, and I haven't been able to play much - some occasional games on the internet is all. But too much speed chess has ruined me - my moves are way to superficial, and I just don't think through stuff much anymore.
Now I have 2 elemetary school kids, so I taught them the moves, and watched to see if they were interested in playing. I got out my old set, and started going through some of my old books. The kids picked up on what Dad was doing, and started asking me to play - and they started playing each other.
I've been trying to teach them some stuff - and have gotten them to know how to mate with Q&R vs. K, and what a back-rank mate is. But the other 'elementary tactics' books I could find were too advanced for them. Couldn't get them to watch their opponents moves, and leave stuff hanging.
I came across the author's articles on the internet, and he struck a cord with me - he hit on exactly the problem my kids were having, and had a plan for how to get them to improve.
I picked up the book, and I couldn't agree with the author's points more. His description of how kids think right after learning how the pieces moves fit EXACTLY what I saw my kids doing. His description of how to approach their improvement makes perfect sense to me - I now have a plan!
If you've taught your kids (or yourself) the basic moves, and don't know what to do next - this book is for you. It doesn't cover the basic rules and piece movements, so you need to get another book for those topics. Then get this book, and be ready to take the next steps. Once you complete this book, then starting in on some elementary tactics books is a great next step. You'll be on your way to some serious chess then!!
In the end, I doubt my kids will every be GrandMasters - but they love playing, and learning Dad's "sneaky moves". I'm looking forward to the day when they beat me in a serious game...
Book Description
This book is written to address an underemphasized area of chess training and study, the identification of and reaction to--threats. For beginner and intermediate-level players, the study of tactics is paramount. Almost all tactics books take the approach of providing a position where there is a forced win, checkmate or draw. However, Looking for Trouble takes a different tack. This book helps players to recognize threats by providing over 200 problems in which players can focus on identifying and meeting threats ranging from extremely easy to fiendishly difficult. The identification of difficult threats û and how to meet them û is discussed in a manner that accommodates players of all levels.
Customer Reviews:
Good things come in small packages.......2005-05-24
I almost passed this one up but I'm sure glad I didn't. As a player rated in the 1600 - 1800 range, I'm often frustrated to see a "crushing" win swept away in one careless move. I get so wrapped up in my own plans that I often ignore those of my opponent. Ugh! Although it is easy to say "always try to understand what your opponent's move was threatening before making your move", I tend to play fast and impatiently (even when not in any time trouble). Heisman's book is great because it forces you to solve the problems in 2 stages - identify the threat, then figure out the remedy.
By working on these, I found that I started to automatically look more carefully at my opponent's moves. Heisman's examples also include some very common themes so I suspect "imprinting" these "tactical images" into my brain will also do me good. Great stuff!
By the way, as an earlier reviewer pointed out, I found that even some of the so-called easy challenges were sometimes difficult.
Good Positions - Decent Organizing.......2005-03-21
Overall I liked this book but found it difficult at certain points. It is not a good book for a lower rated player like the advertizing makes it seem. Not all the patterns found in this book are logically placed. But there are some good positions for understanding.
Learn to use the Sword in Chess.......2004-08-01
I did not think I could ever find a book to learn what chess is about, well at least one of the most important things in the game. Yes, chess is about making threats and stop them, and this book teaches how to do that in a very instructive way. If we ever want to become strong chess players, it is of essential nature learning to see our opponent's threats and meet them appropriately.
What you will find in this book is a very clear explanation about threats and how we can deal with them, and then a lot of excercises to train your mind and eye to find the threats on the chess board. This is the firs book I know that deviates from the traditional way of "White to play and win".
Stop loosing games because you did not see your opponent's threat, get this book and become stronger. I really liked it.
Instructive and fun to read.......2003-12-29
"Looking for Trouble" is a collection of 200+ chess positions that are mostly tactical in nature. What separates this book from other similar works are the extensive and helpful verbal annotations, and the fact that it's not "White to move and win", but instead: "Avoid the threat and find the best move". Working through this book feels more like playing a real game than playing through a normal collection of tactical problems, and is surprisingly fun.
One of the main benefits of this book is that it helps you to establish a better thinking process. After you worked through all the puzzles, your first thought while playing a game will be "What is his threat?", which is exactly how it should be.
The positions themselves are also very instructive: Taken from real games, sorted into openings, middle game and endgame sections and assigned an estimated difficulty (* to *****).
My only criticism is that the author recommends this book to players rated as low as 1200. I'm rated 1700 and found most of these puzzles to be quite challenging. I think a 1200 player would be overwhelmed by the difficulty of most positions, though he will likely still benefit from learning how to think better.
A chess book that's instructive and Enjoyable to read.......2003-12-09
I'll start off by stating that I am a novice-intermediate level player who has several chess books and a training CD to boot!. (Fred Reinfeld, Complete Chess player, Chess for Dummies, Burgess Mammoth book of chess). With the exception of Chess for Dummies, they all look nice on my shelf. Everytime I pick up Burgess or Reinfeld I lose interest quickly. This book by Heisman has me hooked ! To me, it's much more useful than "Find mate in 2 " problems. It teaches you to think about what your oppenent is up to (threat) and how to (and not to ) respond. In essence, play CHESS. My copy is already worn and battered up a bit..like all my other favorite paperbacks.
Book Description
How chess pieces get their power. Big seller. This book is a true rarity, one with original insight into the authenic principles of the ancient game of chess. The author imparts understanding how to analyze chess positions. The reader will come away with a much better understanding of the real elements of strengths and weaknesses on the chess board.
Customer Reviews:
Speaking of power..........2007-09-06
I've come up with a fun set of chess (pawn) analogies related to nat sci.
I was recently thinking about pawns (yes, I have these sorts of reveries!) and it came to me that in several ways, they are the "atoms" of chess. Not only are they used to define the relative value of the other pieces (knight=3 pawns, rook = 5 pawns, etc.) but they also exhibit properties of basic nuclear reactions.
FISSION - this describes a pawn gambit, for material is lost, releasing energy in the process
FUSION - this describes pawn promotion - the pawn reaches the other side of the board and becomes a heavier element with more energy within it
QUANTUM TUNNELING - what better way to characterize the process of capturing "en passant"? :-)
I suppose that the board ranks could be conceived of in terms of orbitals, with higher (outer, farther) orbitals exhibiting higher energy levels, but that sort of analogy is no longer quite so perfect.
(Although I haven't yet filed formally for copyright, remember that you heard it here first!!) :-)
Mike
Book Description
An amazing look at kids who play chess and how to help them and their parents. It features overcoming beginning hurdles and why newcomers often play BAD moves. This book list 11 real rules for improvement.
Customer Reviews:
Outstanding - but it really is just the beginning........2005-08-27
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.
It Really Is A 2nd Chess Book.......2003-04-11
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.
Not very helpful for the price.......2003-04-06
The information kind of jumps around a bit. Not very consistent. Offers some insights, but overall you can get this info for free in most chess web sites. Seems to cater more to the beginning tournament player. I find it more of an advertisement for Dan Heisman, chess coach extraordinare! If this book sold for 9.99, I would give it 3 stars for the information provided, but at this price - even one star is one too many.
This book will help beginners.......2002-08-16
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.
You Really Will Get Stronger With This Book.......2001-08-08
This book is for the chess player who knows how the knight moves (but keeps getting forked), gains a piece (but canýt win the game), and thinks ýen passantýis a cheap attempt to steal a pawn. Heisman teaches practical skills youýll need to progress beyond a novice level: instant pattern recognition; making a material advantage count, and other ýstuffý 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 youýre having trouble, for example, ýinstantlyý seeing squares a knight can reach, youýre 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. Iýve done it with every piece: drilling myself on pins, skewers, and double attacks. It really works, and itýs 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 donýt resign as they know their opponent will probably return the favor, youýll need to know how to finish that SOB off once youýre a bishop ahead!
Youýll enjoy chess more fully (and win more games) once youýve studied these basic fundamentals. Youýll also be able to benefit from the really hard ýstuffý in more advanced books because youýre proficient in the easy stuff.
Book Description
The fisrt comprehensive biography of one of football's most volatile personalities.
Customer Reviews:
Disappointed.......2004-12-28
The book was written by a Spurrier fan who told me nothing new about the great coach. It was 204 pages long and the author did not get to Spurrier's Florida coaching exploits until page 143. His legendary status as a coach BEGAN at Florida. Spurrier's Gator coaching accomplishments made him the star that he is today and I was hoping to get a detailed look at HOW he was so successful at Florida. I was left wanting SO much more. It was a good look at his younger days growing up and as a player in college and the NFL. It also explored his days as a small time college coach, but the contents regarding his tenure at Florida was rather pitiful. Still, a must read for any Gator or Spurrier fan, but not a real complete work. This, I hope, will NOT be considered THE definitive Spurrier biography when it is all said and done.
One of the best sports bios I've ever read.......2003-02-28
With all the media buzz about this book, I was afraid it wouldn't live up to the hype, but I gotta admit that it's one very good book. Chastain really gets into the mind and heart of a remarkable and complex man.
Average customer rating:
- At Least Read the Book First!
- Field of Valor
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Field Of Valor: Duty, Honor, Country, And Winning The Heisman
Jack Clary
Manufacturer: Triumph Books
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The All Americans
ASIN: 1572437642 |
Book Description
Only five athletes have ever won the Heisman Trophy while attending either the U.S. Military Academy or the U.S. Naval Academy. This book profiles those players and examines what undescribable qualities football teaches certain men which allows them to excel on the field of battle, as well as the gridiron.
Customer Reviews:
At Least Read the Book First!.......2004-09-01
Oh come on! How can anybody pan a book without at least opening the cover? Field of Valor is an excellent look at the service academy football programs during their glory days. It might not belong in the library of every football fan but it is a nicely produced book with a great deal of interesting information and it deserves a look, especially with bargain priced used copies out there!
Field of Valor.......2002-11-19
While I have not yet read the book, I wish to point out that Glenn Davis never reached the rank of brigadier general. As a matter of fact, he hardly reached the rank of first lieutenant. He was too interested in Hollywood and such environs. He wasn't even a good pro player. Neither was Joe Bellino.
Average customer rating:
- Good NY Sports History
- pass
- If you like sports, this book is for you!
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40 Years at the Home of the Heisman: A Boy, a Ball, and His Dream
Rudy J. Riska ,
John S. Clark , and
Peter J. Clark
Manufacturer: Coaches Choice Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
History of Sports
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ASIN: 158518523X |
Customer Reviews:
Good NY Sports History.......2003-10-16
As a lifelong New Yorker I found the book brought back many memories of what was once a place to see and be seen, the Downtown Athletic Club. Unfortunately, times have changed, but it was enjoyable to read about some of my heroes from the past.
Paper quality of the book isn't up to par, but I can't imagine a New York sports fan not enjoying this.
pass.......2002-12-17
Poorly done and dull compared to other books on football
If you like sports, this book is for you!.......2002-01-03
Normally I don't go for the retrospective books, but in this case, I made an exception. Rudy Riska knows everybody in sports, and a lot of entertainers too! If you like reading interesting stories about athletes and celebrities--this book is right up your alley. And even though I don't know the New York scene very well, I still enjoyed it. If you are person who is into sports, or know somebody who is, this book is perfect!
Average customer rating:
- Principles for the 1920's BASICS for today!
- Wow!
- The basics never change--great training tips give you edge
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Principles of Football
John W. Heisman , and
John Heisman
Manufacturer: Hill Street Press
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Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 1892514990 |
Book Description
Time to get back to football`s bare-ass basics. In an age of fruity sports drinks, Armani-ed agents, and the x`s and o`s taught online, the bedrock simplicity and timeless truths of John Heisman`s Principles of Football will knock the wind out of you like a four-man tackle deep behind the line of scrimmage. Available for the first time since the 1920s, this classic book (which includes over 40 of Heisman`s game plays) is perfect for every young player and coach alike, as well as lovers of the game.
Heisman`s coaching style and philosophy are unparalleled by the likes of Vince Lombardi, Bear Bryant, Mike Ditka, Tom Landry, Chuck Noll, and others and his innovations influence the game to this day: he invented of the Heisman shift (forerunner to the T formation) and legalized the forward pass, for example. But the greatest testimony to his savvy and sportsmanship are in his own words, his diltillation of what makes the games and its players great.
The no-loss attitude that plays in Heisman`s locker room will no doubt win in the school room and the board room. Heisman articulately maps out the benefits of the game in terms of sportmanship, gentlemanly skilles, self-control, will power, and clear thinking, along the way demonstrating his clear love for the his coaches and players alike. Principles of football includes Heisman`s time-tested, timeless tips on strategy, tactics, drills, nuitrition, training, injury, and, foremost, how to play the `mental game.`
Customer Reviews:
Principles for the 1920's BASICS for today!.......2001-07-23
I have read many books on football. This book is a book for parents who do not know the game, or the benefits their child recieves from playing the game. The diet offered in this book has many reminders but it also has misinformation as well. The axioms in this book: 30 offensive "don'ts", 30 defensive "don'ts", 25 "use this or that", 20 "Always", 10 "Can'ts", 20 "Nevers", then it goes on about a list for the passer, the receiver, and the punter. "ALWAYS play with your head, USE your brain, CAN'T play the game without your head, and DON'T lose the game". You get the point. As for the personal plays - they are the basic plays run from the single wing formation. How many times have you seen the single wing in college or the NFL lately? There are better books about football out there. -Heisman WAS a great coach!!
Wow!.......2000-10-23
I bought this because of the name--Heisman. But, wow, who would think ... his own personal play book, and all. Cool, very cool.
The basics never change--great training tips give you edge.......2000-10-10
THe great name of John Heisman got me interested in this book because he is the coach the Heisman Trophy is named after. The amazing [part about this book is that it was written in like 1925 but the game hasn't changed that much and what Heisman preached then should be practiced today. There is a section of "Wizard's Wisdom" like do's and don't's of the game that is like "Life's Little Instruction Book" for young players and their parents and their coaches. Its like uncovering ancient widsom that's been buried in a tomb somewhere. Lots of forgotten training tips that are awesome to rediscover because no one else knows them.
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Looking for Trouble: Recognizing and Meeting Threats in Chess
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