Oliver Boydell - How a King Plays: 64 Chess Tips from a Kid Champion

I am an eleven-year-old New York City kid with a passion for chess. I started playing this fantastic game at the age of five and immediately took a strong interest in it. Chess will always have a special place in my life. I cant imagine it ever not being an important part of my daily experience, of who I am now and who I will become.

It certainly explains this book. Not only do I love chess, but I also want to share the wonders of this incredible game with everyone. No matter ones age, language, culture, or background, theres value to be derived from playing chess.

My joy for teaching chess goes back to my days in kindergarten. I was thrilled to explain the game to curious classmates. I became especially excited when I could take a difficult idea and simplify it. I hoped to show that even a newcomer could appreciate the complex and intricate concepts of chess.

By the third grade, I was regularly getting opportunities to impart my excitement for chess to entire classrooms. These classes largely consisted of beginners. So I had to be clear and understandable, without sacrificing the meaning of advanced concepts. Those invaluable sessions helped develop my presentation skills. As I got more practice and experience, I knew I could teach this marvelous game to a wider public. During the pandemic, I began to writeand soon finishedthis heartfelt book.

There are many instructional chess books out there, but not so many that all chess players can benefit from, regardless of knowledge and experience. How a King Plays contains sixty-four essential chess tips, one for each square on the chessboard. I cant think of that number without immediately thinking of chess.

These tips are meant to guide the reader across the games phases. The precepts mainly begin with the opening, proceed through the middlegame, and move into the endgame. But many of these tips are useful in all stages of the game. There are tactical thoughts, and then there are strategic ones.

With modifications, some of these principles can even influence everyday thinking. In carefully selecting the advice offered in my book, I looked for concepts that have worth both on and off the chessboard, gathered from my chess lessons, my own games, books Ive read, and online chess videos. They can be absorbed easily and put to good use by anyone, from beginner to veteran player.

I hope you enjoy this book as much as I took pleasure in conceiving and writing it. I want to thank Bruce Pandolfini and Pradeep Pathak, and all my other coaches who have inspired me, and all those who have inspired them. Lets continue to inspire each other. Its said that a great journey begins with a single step. Here are sixty-four steps to move you ahead, along the right path.

A chessboard has 64 squares. The squares are all the same sizeyet some are more valuable. The most valuable ones are in the center. Pay attention to the four squares in the middle of the board: d4, d5, e4, and e5. Chess players call that block of key squares the center.

From there, pieces have greater mobility. They can move to either side of the board quickly and easily. Imagine if key pieces are jammed on one side. It could take all day before they get to the other side. But if theyre already in the center, a lot of time can be saved. Its one thing to put pieces in the middle and another to make sure theyre safe there. Accordingly, dont just occupy the center. Try to guard it, too. That makes anything sitting there safer. It also makes it harder for your opponent to get active play.

So, to gain control of a position, play for the center right from move one.

Both sides begin with eight pieces and eight Pawns. The King, the Queen, two Rooks, two Bishops, and two Knights are the pieces. Chess players dont call Pawns pieces. All pieces start on their home rank, while all Pawns start on their second rank.

When you move a piece to a useful square, you develop it. You also develop a piece by moving a Pawn out of its way. Castling develops a Rook. By developing a piece, you energize it. The best way to gain control is to get all your pieces into action. Develop pieces so they can work as a team. Command them like an army. Position them to attack as a unit. Place them to support each other in defense. Its hard to do much with just one pieceeven the Queen can do more when backed up. If you fall behind in development, you may never catch up. Your opponents forces could beat you to the punch, and you might get checkmated, just like that.

So, for attack, defense, and control, develop your pieces as soon as you can.

The King is what the game is all about. It needs to stay safe. Get checkmated, and the game is over.

Many chess games begin by moving a center Pawn. The center might then open up, exposing your King. But you can get the King to safety, away from danger, by castling. Castling shifts the King to the side. By moving the King behind a wall of Pawns, it is tougher for your opponent to attack it.