This book is a lively result of a chess authorities attempts to help his teenage son improve his play. Young Benjamin Fine proved to be an invaluable assistant in preparing the text, presenting the problems and helping to work out the solutions. Other young chess beginners will find his experience of more than ordinary interest. In writing this book, the author kept in mind the player who has little or no previous knowledge of chess. His aim has been to provide a useful practical technique for handling the game. In addition to basic information about the board, the chess men and notation, Dr. Fine in a special chapter on chess moves introduces the reader to some of the delights or more complex play. The last chapter is devoted to describing a study scheme which is bound to lead to steady improvement on one's play. Over 300 clear, explanatory diagrams and a brief but carefully selected biography compliment the text and add to the books usefulness. Reuben Fine is one of the world's leading authorities on chess. In addition to being one of the foremost grandmasters of our time, his writings have done more than those of any other man to make the knowledge of the masters available to all chess players. He has the rarest of all gifts, the ability to be both lucid and profound.

This is a collection of 50 of the finest games played during the period 1941-1944 by the world's greatest masters. Each game has an introduction and is copiously annotated in such a way that a mere beginner can follow the workings of the world champion. A vivid record of activities in the leading centers of the world with fifty examples of brilliant games played by modern chessmasters. The games include masterpieces by Alekhine, Botvinnik, Euwe, Fine, Horowitz, Kashdan, Keres, Najdorf, Pinkus, Reshevsky, Smyslov, Stahlberg and other experts. Each game is profusely illustrated. Introductions and Explanatory notes to moves provide the reader with both entertainment and instruction. The games are nicely laid out in descriptive notation. Included with each of the games is a brief biography of the players. Most of these games first appeared in the “Game of the Month” column in Chess Review magazine.