how useful are chess books?

CHESS is a great game. Timed games can range from one minute each on the clock up to maybe two hours each. Obviously, the very quick games are littered with mistakes and the longer games create the opportunity for better-thought-out plans and more awareness of tactical threats. Both forms of the game have a place and provide entertainment, excitement and learning experiences. The middle ground is the rapid-play tournament and the next local event is at Forest Hall Chess Club on Sunday, December 9. These are popular events and details can be found on the Northumberland Chess website. Rapid-play events are usually very well supported because they are great fun as well as opportunities to win significant prizes. There are some restrictions on who can play so please visit the site to check the rules With Christmas approaching, I have received requests for suggestions for appropriate books on chess for beginners. This is not an easy question to answer as it is not easy to match the book to the intended recipient without knowing something about their play. There are several books with titles like ‘Chess for Beginners.’ Many of them start with descriptions of the moves of the different pieces. I think that it is far quicker and much more likely to have positive results if the beginner learns the moves from an existing player, face to face. The ‘teacher’ doesn’t have to be a brilliant player at this stage. A bit further forward, teaching on basic tactics becomes important. There are books and computer programs that can help, but be wary of ones with too steep a learning trajectory. Multiple reinforcement of the basics is nearly always needed. I recommend going to a club. In this area there are three in the Northumberland League with beginners groups, Forest Hall (Fridays at 5.15pm at the Ex-Servicemen’s Club), Gosforth (Mondays at 5pm at the Empire Club) and South Shields (Saturdays at 2pm at The Word) Paying to join a club is cheaper than most books and programs and likely to generate better results. Later the books and programs can come into play.