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  • The Kids’ Book of Chess and Starter Kit: Learn to Play and Become a Grandmaster! Includes Illustrated Chessboard, Full-Color Instructional Book, and 32 Sturdy 3-D Cardboard Pieces

The Kids’ Book of Chess and Starter Kit: Learn to Play and Become a Grandmaster! Includes Illustrated Chessboard, Full-Color Instructional Book, and 32 Sturdy 3-D Cardboard Pieces

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Author(s)
Co-Authors / Illustrators
Publisher
Age Range
8+
Release Date
September 13, 2022
ISBN
978-1523516032
Buy This Book
     
With more than 1 million copies sold, The Kids’ Book of Chess is the bestselling introduction for kids to the game that’s inspired passion and challenge for over 900 years. Now the classic book is revised and re-illustrated, with a complete build-it-yourself beginner’s chess kit included!

The New Yorker said it best: “Harvey Kidder explains the game with a clarity that is almost absolute.” By grounding the fundamentals of how chess works in the game’s origins—the medieval battlefield—Kidder captures chess’s energy and excitement while offering instruction that is direct and concrete.

From how to set up the board and make your first move to learning the notorious “blitzkrieg”—a lightning-swift mate-in-four—here is the kit with everything you need to learn and play chess, including a set of sturdy, environmentally friendly cardboard pieces you can build in the classic Staunton design, a fabric storage bag, an illustrated chessboard with helpful reminders on how each piece moves, and a revised and re-illustrated 96-page book focusing on the game’s historic origins. The Kids’ Book of Chess and Starter Chess Set has everything a child needs to step away from the screens and start playing the greatest analog game ever created. It’s your move!

Read and approved for accuracy by the US Chess Federation.

Editor review

1 review
Great instructional book and starter set for chess!
(Updated: June 22, 2026)
Overall rating
 
5.0
Writing Style
 
5.0
Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)
 
5.0
Learning Value
 
5.0
THE KIDS' BOOK OF CHESS AND STARTER KIT is a delightful boxed set that introduces chess and allows children to begin playing. The book is fully illustrated with lots of information and details about play, and it comes with an illustrated chessboard and cardboard pieces for beginners.

What I loved: This is such a fantastic way to introduce chess and its complicated plays. The illustrated chessboard and cardboard stand-up pieces help for children to begin to play out what they are reading and have some matches. They are easy to play with and help make the transition from page to real life. The book is very easy to read with plenty of clear illustrations in color to show what it is describing. It was very approachable, and the accompanying board and pieces allow children to test out the concepts and set up their games. The pieces are sturdy enough that they can actually be played with, and it even has a bag that they can be stored in after being set up. This is such a treasure for children who want to learn chess!

The book and set will work well for elementary school aged children or people of any age who want to learn! The writing is approachable, and the actually playable set adds to the fun of an instructional book.

Final verdict: THE KIDS' BOOK OF CHESS AND STARTER KIT is a delightful learning and playing tool for anyone who wants to learn how to play and master chess! Highly recommend for any potential chess-lovers elementary school aged and older.
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