Books published by publisher Gray Rabbit Publications

Many chessplayers find it difficult to improve their game beyond a certain level. They can see basic tactics, know a little about openings and can calculate a few moves ahead. However, so do their opponents. What is the next level, and how does one get there? This book is aimed at chess-players who have progressed well beyond beginner level and have acquired the basic skills required to play at club level, but need guidance to improve their understanding of chess. It is based on the training program that Hall himself followed when he was an up-and-coming player. The lessons are not based on 'quick fixes', but instead provide a well-rounded course in all aspects of chess that will equip the reader well for his or her chessboard battles, and provide a firm yet flexible basis for further improvement.

A 21st-century guide to chess for absolute beginnersAssuming no previous knowledge of the game, Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren teaches you how to play and draws you into the fascinating world of modern chess.This carefully crafted chess course is divided into true lessons, each building on what has been learned in the previous ones. Before moving on from a topic, you have the chance to test that you have fully understood it with the help of thoughtfully graded exercises.This is a 21st-century guide. Throughout, there are references to online chess resources and suggestions for online activities, such as training, playing and live broadcasts, and chess-related social media.Also dotted throughout the book are pieces of chess lore, practical tips and information about great players past and present.Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren has won the Dutch Championship on two occasions, and in 1993 reached the Candidates stage of the World Chess Championship. He is an internationally renowned chess writer and editor: he was one of the founding editors of New in Chess, and is author of the bestselling user-friendly opening guide Fundamental Chess Openings.“This is a book I can – and will – take into class and use to make points to my beginners. Quite often I want to reach for a book to lend to a beginner and actually that can be quite tricky. This book has filled that void for me and I look forward to more people learning to play our great game because of it” – Carl Portman’s Book Reviews“Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren comes with a brilliant guide for beginners, where the rules of the game can be learned in no time! Part one of this book is devoted to all the chess rules and section two holds a number of highly instructive lessons, which will take the reader step by step through the main elements of the game. Included are a collection of simple exercises to help the reader to make the transition from merely reading about chess to actually thinking about it” – John Elburg, chessbooks.nl

Tackling the question What do you say when you don't know how to say it? Tyler Tactful, Amanda Mannerly, and Alyssa Appropriate show children as well as adults how to come up with easy ways to say difficult things. From how to approach someone with a disability—they like to talk about a lot of the same things you do—to telling someone that you need some privacy—"Jason, can you wait out in the hall while I talk with my teacher about my test?”—and how to speak up if you've been wrongly accused of doing something—"There is a mistake here, and I would like you to hear what really happened"—this guide gives children the skills to confront awkward situations and make everyone feel better in the process. Through the book’s gentle coaching and real-life examples, children will learn how they can say anything to anyone if they use tact, speak from the heart with goodness and respect for the other person, use a kind tone of voice, and recognize the best time to broach the subject.

Assuming no previous knowledge of the game, Grandmaster Paul van der Sterren teaches you how to play and draws you into the fascinating world of modern chess. This carefully crafted chess course is divided into true lessons, each building on what has been learned in the previous ones. Before moving on from a topic, you have the chance to test that you have fully understood it with the help of thoughtfully graded exercises. This is a 21st-century guide. Throughout, there are references to online chess resources and suggestions for online activities, such as training, playing and live broadcasts, and chess-related social media. Also dotted throughout the book are pieces of chess lore, practical tips and information about great players past and present.

Polly Politely and Milton Manners are back again, this time with cousins Alyssa Appropriate, Amanda Mannerly, and Tyler Tactful to show kids how easy and fun it is to have great social manners. Focusing on the importance of good manners at a party, kids learn how to use the phone in a timely fashion, obey house rules at a friend's house, and arrive at a party on time. Written with children in mind and full of vivid illustrations, this primer for social skills is designed for all kids to feel more confident and assured in any group environment.

This is not just a book for kids - for 'Dad' read any opponent who beats you regularly! This book teaches the 50 Deadly Checkmates - basic attacking patterns that occur repeatedly in games between players of all standards. Each mating motif is carefully and simply explained, and several illustrative examples are given. A final test enables the reader to grade his pattern recognition abilities, and the last chapter explains what to do if your Dad is Garry Kasparov. Fun, instructive - and guaranteed to improve your game.