Your First Chess Games

For sale is Your First Chess Games by A. J. Gillam is an instructional chess book aimed at players who already understand the basic rules and are ready to take the next step toward practical improvement.Published as part of the Batsford Chess Library, the book focuses on how real games are won and lost at the beginner-to-early-intermediate level. Rather than presenting dense theory or long opening variations, Gillam builds understanding through a series of short, carefully selected illustrative games and positions.A central theme of the book is the recognition of common tactical patterns and pitfalls that arise in the opening and early middlegame. Readers are guided through typical attacking ideas—such as exploiting weak points like f2 and f7, launching early queen checks, and punishing poor development—while also learning why certain natural-looking moves can lead to disaster. These examples are explained clearly and repeatedly reinforced, helping the reader develop pattern recognition and practical awareness over the board.Gillam organizes the material around recurring themes—attacks on the king, traps caused by neglecting development, and typical mating patterns—so that each concept is absorbed through multiple examples rather than abstract explanation alone. The emphasis is on understanding why mistakes occur and how to avoid them, making the lessons directly applicable to the reader’s own games. This book is concise but dense with instructive content. It is particularly well suited for players who have moved beyond learning how the pieces move and basic checkmates, and who want to build a solid foundation in tactical awareness and practical

Condition: Very Good.

One available.