Chess is an enthralling game that provides countless hours of enjoyment for players young and old, but it's true that for the beginner it can often seem like an intimidating prospect. Have you tried your luck at learning the game but have been put off by its sheer complexity, not to mention some of the demanding books on the subject. Don't give up, there's help on the way! Chess for Rookies is a fun-to-read guide for the regular person. Assuming no prior knowledge of this famous game, Craig Pritchett takes the reader on a journey through the crucial basics of chess. Mixed with instruction and humour, this book is an ideal way to learn chess and improve your skills. Reading this book you will: *Learn how to set up the chessboard *Discover how the pieces move, and understand their strengths and weaknesses *Gain knowledge of the basic chess tactics and strategies *Realize when to attack and when to defend *Learn the basics of the opening, middlegame and endgame *Understand tricky ideas such as castling and en passant *Find descriptions of all the strange-sounding chess terms *Discover the best places to play chess, whether on the board or on your computer *Find out who's who in the chess world *Be ready to beat your friends at chess!