HAVE FUN WITH CHECKMATES: Introducing King Chesster
Author: Joe Hanley
96 pages (2005)
$12.95
The book can be purchased at: www.chessequipmentusa.com
(714-925-3195)
e-mail: refchess@gmail.com

Reviewed by Jeremy Silman

HAVE FUN WITH CHECKMATES is the first of a series of three self-published books that take the student through the basics of checkmate. The introduction says it best:

Ready to learn how to checkmate? This book introduces the student to the typical (common) checkmating patterns. These are followed by 549 exercises. The first 234 are all one-move checkmates. The last 315 are all two-move checkmates.

The book says it's for ages 5-Adult, and this seems fair. Children might be attracted to the simple, cartoon-like layout, while an adult who is a complete beginner might find it's just what he needs to kick-start his game.

Also included in the book are sections that teach how the pieces move, and chess notation.

If you have young children who want to learn checkmate basics in a simple manner for a reasonable price, this might be just what you've been looking for.