The Soviet Chess Primer (Chess Classics)

I wish I got that book years ago (many years ago). The style is typical for old (but good) school of teaching - goes from 0 to 60 quickly (or 0 to 100, if you are using metric system :)). No unnecessary fluf - if something requires deep discussion (pawn endings) it does it in a comprehensive way, but otherwise explains many core concepts quickly, with many examples on why those are important. It should give a very solid foundation on what one should work on.Some people aim books based on their Elo rating. Not certain that's the correct approach but I'd say if one wants to really excell in the beautiful game of chess (and not just win with a few friends) this book shows many areas one should be working on to become a well rounded player. Then you know "why" you need to work on something.I was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the paper in the book. It's soft cover but print and paper are superb. I pick up the book with pleasure and think the game of chess receives the treatment it deserves :)I read it every day, just for pleasure. Definitely "a must" on every chess player's list of books to have.

Having ordered this book in June and now coming to its end I have seen great improvement in my understanding and playing strength. I highly recommend to beginners setting up the positions on a physical board or even two, to keep track of the main line and accompanying variations for the numerous examples. This is a great book and a concrete step to chess improvement. I would recommend this to all new chess players and for those teaching chess to utilize its rich content as well.

This was a classic chess training manual in the Soviet Union, and is now destined to become a classic in The West. The book is endorsed by three former World Chess Champions - Lasker, Karpov and Kasparov, as well as the eminent Russian chess trainer Mark Dvoretsky. While the book starts off treating elementary chess basics, it quickly becomes very challenging and advanced for the beginner-novice. In this respect it is really more suitable for the experienced player, intermediate level and above. It is designed to take one, with diligent (!) study, to at least Expert level, and perhaps beyond. If you don't yet have "Master" in your chess title, but have aspirations (or fantasies) in that direction, and are looking for a chess course to help you along the way, this would be a great one to consider. Kudos to Quality Chess for publishing this exceptional work.For the beginner-novice player, two good choices for a first chess course would be "Pandolfini's Ultimate Guide to Chess" by Bruce Pandolfini, and "Winning Chess Strategy for Kids" by Jeff Coakley. (Regardless of the title, the latter is not just for kids!)

Im still working my way through it! I hope I like it! I felt I needed to go back to the basics after a 15 year break from chess! I was about 1800 when I took my break. Now I play around 2000!

Working through this book now along with other books. I am impressed by the explanations of various moves and tactics, along with the principles expounded by the author. I am pleased I have this in my chess book collection. It will probably be dog-eared by the time I get through with it but it's a well made book.

Love the book it has instantly improved my chess. Easy to understand and I can see why it’s a standard

I own a copy of The Soviet Chess Primer, and I have some comments regarding the binding of the book.It appears that the book consists of a series of sewn together groups of pages, which are embedded in some glue attaching the whole to the cover of the book.The problem I am encountering is that the very first group of pages has pulled away from the glue and is barely hanging together. I have worked about half-way through the book and have not encountered the same thing with any other group of pages.I also own a copy of the Soviet Middlegame Technique, and I observe that the binding appears to be more traditional, in that the pages appear to be all embedded in the glue that constitutes the binding. I do not see any pulling away of the pages similar to the situation I encountered with The Soviet Chess Primer.I would be surprised if I am the first customer to experience this pulling away. In the future when more Primers are published, I would like to suggest that the binding be changed to be more like the Soviet Middlegame Technique binding.BTW: I still like the Primer very much, and am sad that the binding is letting go. It is in all other respects a very superior book, although openings are not covered to the same extent as other aspects of the game.

Instructive in the nuances and strategies of the game of chess. This book will help your thinking process and increase your power of concentration. This book has helped me become a better chess player, defeating much better players. I have only begun playing in the last three months and I'm 79 years of age. Highly recommended. The book is also well made and the charts clear and instructive.