Become a Chess Champion: Learn the Basics from a Pro

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.

Become a Chess Champion 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 mathematics.

The cover features gold foil, making this book the perfect gift. Check it out!

James Canty III is a professional chess player, coach, commentator, and content creator for Chess.com. Canty became a national master at 17 after winning the first Harold Steen Memorial Cup, which happened a year after his coach passed away. After such a meteoric rise Canty quickly became a legend in Detroit’s chess scene. Canty is also a popular chess streamer - his fans can watch Canty playing chess, analyzing games, and studying to become a Grandmaster on Twitch and YouTube.

Brian Lambert creates art that is bright, vibrant, and versatile with a unique and warm-hearted feel. Brian enjoys working on illustrations from his home in the beautiful Inland Northwest. He spends his spare time drawing, dreaming, and hanging out with his wife and cat. Brian illustrated Plants to the Rescue! for Neon Squid.