Become a Chess Champion

Neon Squid creates beautiful nonfiction books for inquisitive kids (and kids at heart).

A beginner's guide to chess from professional player James Canty III – a perfect gift for young chess fans.

Kids will learn how to master the basics of the classic board game in this fun beginner’s guide from professional chess player James Canty III.

The book is structured like a chess course, with knowledge carefully introduced as readers turn the pages – assisted by hilarious chess pieces illustrated by Brian Lambert. The emphasis is on fun: James Canty III uses mini games and chess puzzles to teach important concepts and avoid overwhelming beginners. Kids will learn key skills like how to play the perfect opening and trick their opponents to bring about checkmate. By the end of the book readers should be able to confidently take on their parents, guardians or grandparents in a competitive game of chess!

Become a Chess Champion also introduces kids to the wonderful world of chess. They’ll meet the chess player who didn’t lose a game for 30 years, the priest who invented the folding chess board, and the astronauts on the International Space station who had a chess match with people back on Earth!

As well as being great fun, chess also helps kids develop key skills such as strategising, patience, and logic, and helps them excel in school subjects such as maths.

Check it out!