How to play winning chess : history, rules, skills and tactics

Chess was said to have been developed by an Indian philosopher in the sixth century. Originally called Chaturanga, the game spread throughout the Far East and then across Europe by the 11th century.

Like most popular games it developed from being a pastime into a competitive sport with the world's first known tournament being held in the middle of the 19th century. This expertly presented new book tells you everything you will need to know about the background and playing of chess - the most popular and challenging strategy game of all.

While it has a complex history and development, the modern game is a relatively recent development and the rules are fairly straightforward to learn.

All the pieces and modern rules and terminology of chess are clearly explained in an accessible and structured way. Once the movements of each chess piece and rule of the game have been learned, the next task is take on an opponent, and this book shows how to make basic check mates in order to win.

The different strategies (the pin, the fork, the skewer and promoting the pawn) are explained along with how to manage the game as it progresses from opening through the middle game to the end game at the most basic level, before moving on to intermediate and more advanced levels. The next section of the book is devoted to how to think ahead and play different types of games in order to win and create a successful end game at the higher levels of play.

The book provides guidance - assessing the state of the game and knowing whether to make an all out attack, trade places or build up a strategy for the other pieces before attempting to end the game.

Some of the chess masterpieces will be outlined as inspiration for tactical play - such as Morphy versus Duke of Brunswick from 1858 (the most famous game in chess history) and the Fischer versus Spassky world championship, played between the US and Russian rivals at the height of the Cold War in 1972. Finally the book explains options of where and to play chess and different opponents to play against - such as against home computer software or online games.

Various options are outlined such as rapidplay or blitz chess, which have fast timed finishes and slow methods such as correspondence chess, which involves long distance correspondence through a chess server, e-mail or by post. This comprehensive book is suitable for beginners and advanced players alike and is illustrated with more than 700 colour pictures.

It will teach you a wide range of skills to play chess - by technical instruction, helpful advice, step-by-step moves, action from the chess champions and tips on becoming a winner at the game.