The Best Chess Books for Kids
Do you have a special kid in your life who loves chess and you want to nurture their interest in the game? If the answer is "yes," then getting a great chess book is an excellent next step. There is just one problem: the number of books written about chess is staggering!There are many top chess book lists, like Chess.com's "Top 10 Chess Books Every Chess Player Should Read". Unfortunately, very few of these lists consider books written for kids, beginners, or even advanced beginners.
A look at the chess books in FunMasterMike's actual library!
In this article, we will take a look at eight of the best chess books written specifically for children and advanced beginners!
Chess Books For Beginners
One of the best ways to teach a bright child about the royal game is through a chess book. The books listed below are excellent for learning chess basics and more! These books are recommended for children who are just starting out with chess and will help build the foundation they will need to become excellent chess players in the future.
Chess for Children by Murray Chandler and Helen Milligan
Chess for Children by Murray Chandler and Helen Milligan.
- Age: 8 to 12.
- Skill level: Beginner.
World-class chess author and GM Murray Chandler and former British women's champion and WFM Dr. Helen Milligan created this fantastic children's chess book. In Chess for Children, the basic rules and moves are taught in an engaging and fun way. The lessons are also reinforced by the main character's pet alligator, guaranteeing an entertaining experience for the reader.
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley
Winning Chess Strategy for Kids by Jeff Coakley.
- Age: 7 to 13.
- Skill level: Beginner.
When considering chess books for beginners, Jeff Coakley's Winning Chess Strategy for Kids cannot be overlooked. This book covers not only the rules of the royal game, but also basic tactics, mating patterns, and fundamental advice for the chess beginner. Its appealing artwork wraps up the excellent work done by Coakley, ensuring a great learning experience for the young reader!
This book and the others in this series all have a special place in our hearts here at ChessKid.com. Our Chief Chess Officer, FM Mike Klein, even said that "nothing beats the workbooks by Jeff Coakley," and added that he "used it a ton" when he was teaching chess to children in person.
Chess for Kids by Michael Basman
Chess for Kids by Michael Basman.
- Age: 8 to 12.
- Skill level: Beginner.
Naturally, Michael Basman's Chess for Kids made this list. This book not only provides comprehensive explanations and graphics to help children understand the rules of the game but also goes over the history of chess. Basman's work also teaches essential tactics and more. Another excellent and entertaining book for young beginners!
Chess for Kids: How to Play and Win by Richard James
Chess for Kids: How to Play and Win by Richard James.
- Age: 7 to 10.
- Skill level: Beginner.
This book by Richard James is a great way to introduce chess to young beginners. It teaches the rules of the game, checkmating ideas, basic strategy, and thinking skills. It accomplishes all of this through a creative story about seven-year-old twins, Alice and Sam, who need to learn to play chess to stop an alien invasion! A unique and original way to teach chess!
Chess Books For Advanced Beginners
The following books are for readers who are already familiar with the basic concepts of chess and want to go a step further with their training. These books will sharpen their skills and also keep them entertained and engaged!
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess by Murray Chandler.
- Age: 8 and above.
- Skill level: Advanced beginner.
How to Beat Your Dad at Chess teaches people of all ages the best way to beat stronger opponents (including family members and teachers)! This delightful book will teach young readers how to force checkmate, which is a skill every chess player needs to master if they wish to improve at chess. This book is considered a classic for advanced beginners.
Chess Tactics Workbook by Al Woolum
Chess Tactics Workbook by Al Woolum.
- Age: 10 and above.
- Skill level: Advanced beginners.
This is the book of choice for many chess teachers. It is a perfect book for a parent or family member who wants quality time with their children and prefers to be "hands-on" with their chess training. Inside this book, you will find 870 problems laid out in an easy-to-understand and structured format. Solving these puzzles will help readers to acquire advanced skills and problem-solving techniques. Unlike most of the other books, this is a true workbook where writing in the answers is encouraged.
Chess Tactics for Kids by Murray Chandler
Chess Tactics for Kids by Murray Chandler.
- Age: 7 and above.
- Skill level: Advanced beginners.
Another excellent work by GM Murray Chandler! This book uses a kid-friendly format to deliver relevant tactical training without overwhelming the reader. Using examples from real-life games, the author teaches the kids the "50 Tricky Tactics" that experienced players use to win chess games.
Learn Chess the Right Way: Must-know Checkmates by Susan Polgar (Series)
Learn Chess the Right Way: Must-know Checkmates by Susan Polgar.
- Age: 10 and above.
- Skill level: Advanced beginner.
This whole series of books by world-renowned GM and chess coach Susan Polgar is for older or more advanced students who are ready to take their chess to the next level. Learn Chess the Right Way is full of tactical and strategic lessons and is the right resource for students who want to truly master the game of chess. This series is much more descriptive than the other books on this list and consists of many diagrams and practical exercises that will keep the kids glued to its pages for days!
Also, you'll want to check out this book that tells the true story of how Judit Polgár captivated the world as she battled to become the youngest chess grandmaster in history!
Don't miss out on the wide selection of Chess books in the new ChessKid Shop!
What are your favorite chess books for children, beginners, or advanced beginners? Please let us know in the comments!
This list is the product of a great discussion between Chess.com staff members recently, and is not meant to be taken as fact! Our own Colin Stapczynski and Pedro Pinhata put together our view on this debate. If you are an adult and want to comment further or add your own, please join the ChessKid Parents and Coaches Club!