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So the book I am supposed to review is self-published. Now there are many reasons to self-publish, and while some might jump to the conclusion that the reason is because no respectable publisher would touch the title in question, that is indeed a jump. Many other reasons exist to self-publish, not the least of which is a desire to pocket the slice of profits that a respectable publisher would otherwise pocket. Another misconception about self-publishing is that the final product is deficient in production value. Cheap binding. Poor graphics. Misaligned text. Etc. Once more, this proves too big a jump. The book I received has a smooth glossy cover, pages that are clean and white with no smudges or mistyped print, and a standard glued binding. There is a good use of white space, and plenty of illustrations and diagrams. In short, everything you would expect of any book from a respectable publisher. Maybe it's the author. That must be it, the author must be a nobody, someone whom respectable publishers wouldn't touch because he or she lacks expertise and respectability in their field. Oops! Watch that first step there partner, it's - if you'll pardon the expression - a real lulu!
Kitsis has worked with children aged five to eighteen as well as adults. Among his students are winners of local, regional and state tournaments, including the winner of the 1998 World Open (U2200 section) and winners of the 2007 and 2008 World Open for Girls. Nope, that's not it either. OK, all that leaves is the content, the actual writing itself. It must be junk, gibberish, garbage no respectable publisher would waste their time trying to edit into readability or usefulness, right? Let's take a look... Click here to open a PDF file containing the Table of Contents. According to the synopsis I read at the Publisher's website, this book - clearly targeted at the elementary school age group - is:
The first three chapters introduce the student to the board, the pieces and to chess 'language', the rank and file, if you will, of chess study, including a subtle explanation of algebraic notation. Chapters four through six teach almost all you need to know about pawns, en passant being saved for chapter 9. In chapter seven the students learn about the king, and only in chapter eight do they at long last put two and two together and look at the king in concert with the pawns. Step-by-step indeed. Each chapter includes activities and questions designed to reinforce the chapter's lessons. An example or five: How many chess pieces are on a chess
board? Kitsis does a good job of integrating each new concept into the knowledge base established in prior chapters, and keeps the student involved in active learning throughout the process. Occasional "Did You Know?" boxes scattered around the book add to the student's interest:
Some of the boxes contain more practical information, like the importance of castling, the fact that knights move between alternating colored squares, and so on. Chess, Step by Step succeeds in creating an interesting curriculum that both challenges and involves the student in active learning. It will prove a good addition to any instructional program aimed at the target audience. I can recommend it without reservation, even if it is - respectably self-published...
About the author: Aleksandr Kitsis is the Founder of the Vivacity School of Chess. Here is some of the verbiage from their website:
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Chessville
The
Advertise to Single insert:
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Aleksandr
Kitsis, a member of the United States Chess Federation (USCF), draws on
almost 40 years of chess playing and teaching experience. A National
Master (2300+) and a
professional coach with over 25 years of experience, he is also a USCF
Certified Tournament Director.
