Al Lawrence is the author of more than a dozen books on chess, science and writing. He is a regular contributor to Chess Life magazine as well as to the World Book Yearbook encyclopedia. Executive director of the United States Chess Federation during a decade of innovation and record-breaking growth, he went on to serve as the first executive director of the World Chess Hall of Fame. A former public school educator and university teacher of writing with advanced degrees in instructional techniques, he is especially interested in applying modern teaching theory to chess and other popular subjects. Lawrence was selected as Chess Journalist of the Year for 2000 by the Chess Journalists of America and continues to win awards for his writing.Lawrence has had a parallel career in electronics, serving as a vice president of Excalibur Electronics and as CEO of StarFinder, Inc., a company that developed Night Navigator, a product that quickly teaches amateur stargazers the night sky. Night Navigator has been featured internationally in magazines and on television.Stephen Gorman is a photographer and writer whose work has appeared in Knack Dog Care & Training, Knack Dog Tricks, Knack Car Camping, and Knack Canoeing for Everyone, and in such magazines as Outside and Audobon. Visit the photographer at www.stephengorman.comEli Burakian is a freelance photographer whose work has appeared in Knack Dog Care & Training and Knack Dog Tricks. Visit him at www.burakphotography.com

"Whether you want to quickly learn the basics or to become a tough tournament player, popular chess writer Al Lawrence employs his usual wit and clarity to give you an easy-to-understand, step-by-step guide."--Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Chess Champion

• Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1 – History/OverviewChapter 2 – How Pieces MoveChapter 3 – Chess Notation; Piece Values Chapter 4 – Check, Checkmate, Special MovesChapter 5 – Alternative GamesChapter 6 – Tactics: Forks, Skewers, PinsChapter 7– Strategy: Offense & DefenseChapter 8 - OpeningsChapter 9 – More OpeningsChapter 10 – Middle GameChapter 11 – Tactical ProblemsChapter 12– End gameChapter 13 – Chess ProblemsChapter 14 – Common Mistakes to AvoidChapter 15 – Instructive Sample GamesChapter 16 – Chess ThinkingChapter 17 – Advanced Chess ProblemsChapter 18 – Computer, Online, and Distance ChessChapter 19 - Chess Opportunities: Clubs, Teams, Tournaments, Chapter 20 - ResourcesGlossary