A suitable book for a 12 year old new to chess

[Gordon Morse]

I want to buy a book for a boy coming up to his 12th birthday. He has just started learning to play chess at secondary school.

Can anyone recommend a suitable book?

Thanks.

[Richard James]

Congratulations - I believe that 12 is a great age to start. While children with chess playing parents will benefit starting much younger, most children will gain much more by starting at 10-12.

My Chess Heroes books are designed to take the older beginner from learning how the pieces move through to adult club standard. They're based on more than 50 years experience teaching chess, a database of almost 17000 games played at Richmond Junior Club over a 30 year period, and the latest research about how novices acquire skills.

Start with the introductory book, and, if he wants to take the game further, move on to the next four volumes, covering checkmates, tactics, openings and endings. There are then two additional books (puzzles and games), with two more currently in preparation.

You can buy the books from Amazon, or download them for free.

Look round the course website for further information.

https://chessforheroes.uk/purchase/

[Gordon Morse]

Thanks, Richard, that looks perfect.

I've ordered the book.

[Richard James]

Thanks, Richard, that looks perfect.

I've ordered the book.

Many thanks, Gordon. I think the books are pretty good, but no publishers were interested and they've sold only a handful of copies on Amazon.

Please feel free to direct any of your friends rated below 1500 or so to the Chess Heroes books.

[MJMcCready]

I would recommend Richard's other publication also, 'The right way to teach chess to kids'.