Play Winning Chess | Yasser Seirawan & Jeremy Silman

"Play Winning Chess" by Yasser Seirawan is the first book in a popular instructional chess series aimed at players new to the game or wanting to strengthen their foundational understanding. Published in 1994, this book provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the basics of chess, offering readers insight into strategies and tactics that form the foundation for becoming a strong player.

• An excellent chess book for beginners with clear explanations and practical strategies 
• Learn the four principles of chess: force, time, space and pawn structure
• Learn about annotation and the philosophy of chess
• Including quizzes and tests that are designed to reinforce learning
• Logical and easy-to-follow instructions
• Numerous diagrams and instructions

*This book is one of Seirawan’s Winning Chess series:  Winning Chess Endings – Winning Chess Openings – Winning Chess Tactics

Reader’s Reviews:

I’ve had this book since I got into chess in high school, and it remains my favourite. It offers an excellent foundation in chess, starting with the basics like piece movement, algebraic notation, and a bit of the game’s history. The book quickly moves into explaining critical concepts like force (piece value), time (tempo), space (position control), and pawn structure, along with tactics and strategies. 

There are quiz questions throughout to reinforce learning, and each chapter includes exercises for practice. What’s truly impressive about this book is that after studying it, you’ll have a strong grasp of chess fundamentals and be able to analyze a chessboard confidently. Before reading it, I relied on intuition to judge my position.
 
Still, now I can break down what’s happening on the board, even at a beginner level. Many beginner books miss this practical aspect, making this one particularly valuable - G Todd

What stands out most about this book is how well it’s written. Seirawan and Silman, both highly knowledgeable authors, present their ideas with clarity, precision, and a touch of humour. Their writing style reminds me of the late Fred Reinfeld, a renowned chess author, which I consider high praise - L Fas

About the Author:

Yasser Seirawan is a Syrian-born American chess Grandmaster and four-time United States champion. He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1979. Seirawan is also a published chess author and commentator.

Other Details:

Paperback
Pages: 224
Dimensions: 17.6 x 1.5 x 24.6cm
ISBN-13: 9781857443318