Urban high school kid Moses Middleton hoped that organizing a chess club could be a ticket out of mediocrity, but everything goes pear-shaped after a disastrous tournament. That's when he meets Viktor, a mad Russian grandmaster who agrees to coach the team by revealing the secrets of Soviet chess. Together with his crew -- charismatic psychopath P.D. Morales, gifted violinist and expert fencer Esther Toussaint, shy anime fan Maggie Wang, and the new boy, Albanian chess wizard Zamir Hoxha -- Moses vows to take the world of New York City scholastic chess by storm. But trouble's on the way, in the form of neighborhood bullies, a vengeful vice principal, racist gentrifiers, the snooty rich kids from Galton Prep, and, worst of all, a sexual predator who could destroy a young woman's life and the team's newfound solidarity.

Chess owes its strategic depth to pawns, which take many roles in the chess struggle. In this text, an experienced grandmaster explores the pawn's multi-facted nature, and provides the reader with a range of pawn-play concepts.

Confused by esoteric chess terms like castling, forking, and making Luft? Can't tell whether you've got your opponent in check or checkmate? This book will tell you everything you need to know to become a budding Kasparov, from the names of pieces and their movements to tactics and strategies, from advanced maneuvers to setting up chess tournaments and clubs where you can test your skills. Also covered: a history of chess, from its beginnings in ancient India to how it became the world's most played game; all the basics of the board and the pieces; elementary rules and object of the game; famous openings and well-know tactics; sneak attacks and other tricky plays; exercises that explain strategies and chess-move annotations (often found in newspapers); and advice for using the Internet and computer programs to better your game and tips on starting a chess club or tournament.

The correct use of the pawns is one of the most difficult aspects of chess strategy, but GM Sam Shankland breaks down the principles of Pawn Play to basic, easily understandable guidelines every chess player should know. He starts with extremely simple examples, but then lifts the level, showing how grandmasters could have made better decisions by using the book's guidelines.

Unearth the secrets of chess mastery with "Mastering Chess Strategy and Tactics," your ultimate guide to elevating your game through the strategic art of pawn play. Pawns may be the most humble pieces on the chessboard, but they hold the power to shape the outcome of your matches and dictate the course of play. This comprehensive eBook offers a deep dive into understanding and harnessing their potential to dominate your opponents. Explore how pawns can define the opening and set your strategy in motion. Learn to identify and exploit isolated, doubled, and backward pawns, turning what appears to be a weakness into a formidable strength. Delve into tactical pawn breakthroughs that disrupt your opponent's plans and create unassailable advantages. Discover the strategic value of pawn chains and how their structure can either fortify your position or unravel your enemy’s defenses. Harness the power of the pawn majority to launch devastating attacks or execute a precise minority assault to weaken your rival’s position. From the basics of pawn endgames and creating passed pawns to using pawns as offensive weapons in dynamic middlegame play, this guide covers it all. Understand the nuances of pawn storms in attack, secure your king's safety, and emerge victorious with advanced pawn tactics. Unlock the psychological aspects of pawns, balancing intuition with calculation to outthink your opponent. Artfully wield strategic and tactical pawn sacrifices to surprise and conquer. Examine famous games where pawns turned the tide of battle, and use these lessons to craft your personal pawn strategy. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, this eBook is your gateway to mastering the silent but powerful soldiers of chess. Transform your understanding and command of pawn structures to become an unstoppable force on the chessboard. Your journey towards greatness begins here.

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Learn chess from International Master and YouTube’s top chess teacher Levy Rozman (aka GothamChess) in this refreshing and fun guide for beginner and intermediate players. Clever and informative, How to Win at Chess teaches you everything you need to know about the game, including all the important moves and strategies to start off strong and keep you thinking several steps ahead. Full of Levy Rozman's signature charm and humor that have made him beloved by millions of fans, the first half of this unique guide introduces rising players (0-800 Elo rating) to the four key areas to consider when playing chess—openings, endings, tactics, and strategy—and the second half builds upon these core skills for more experienced players (800-1300 Elo rating). Brimming with practical and easy-to-follow tips for improving your game, How to Win at Chess includes over 500 instructional gameplay illustrations to help you better visualize the board, as well as chapter-specific QR codes for exclusive bonus content on Chessly, Rozman’s teaching platform. Whether you want to become a recreational chess player or are training to be a Grandmaster, How to Win at Chess is the perfect interactive introduction to the world of chess!

Improve Your Chess will help you to improve your technique and master your game. This lively new edition is written by William Hartston, an experienced chess player and daily columnist for the Independent. It is structured in 75 easy-to-follow lessons, clearly demarcated by level, so that you are challenged throughout. You will get to grips with complex strategy and the meta-principles which rule the relationship between pieces and their co-operation throughout play. All new concepts are demonstrated by illustrated worked examples, and you will get a chance to see these principles borne out in grandmaster play. NOT GOT MUCH TIME? One, five and ten-minute introductions to key principles to get you started. AUTHOR INSIGHTS Lots of instant help with common problems and quick tips for success, based on the authors' many years of experience. TEST YOURSELF Tests in the book and online to keep track of your progress. EXTEND YOUR KNOWLEDGE Extra online articles at www.teachyourself.com to give you a richer understanding of chess FIVE THINGS TO REMEMBER Quick refreshers to help you remember the key facts. TRY THIS Innovative exercises illustrate what you've learnt and how to use it.