Chess is really catching on, and this book helps readers catch on fast. According to the U.S. Chess Federation, the number of chess enthusiasts has increased by almost 50 percent in the last five years. It's a complex game, with moves and counter moves and complicated strategies that can be intimidating. This book eliminates the fear factor, walks readers step by step through basic moves, and pictures a variety of openings, defenses, gambits, strategies, and endgames. It also includes information about playing chess on the computer, both online and offline. Jon Edwards, PhD (Pennington, NJ) is a Senior International Master in chess and is among the top 200 players in the world. He has written six books, including The Chess Analyst (0-938650-71-8), and runs Chess is Fun, a popular Web site for learning how to play.