Imagine you could learn the rules of chess and start playing your first chess game in less than 2 hours... Sounds attractive, right? Two hours seems to be an unbelievably short time investment to learn all of the rules, basic tactics, and main strategies of such a legendary game! Perhaps you are looking for the perfect beginner's guide to chess for yourself or a friend? Maybe you have never played chess before and need a simple and fast how-to book, or you know how to play but want to build on your knowledge with additional information. You might simply want a quick chess refresher course. If any of these apply to you, then you are on the right track! Chess is a complicated game, filled with patterns which may, at first, seem like random movements. The goal of this illustrated guide is to make those patterns clearer, and it is directed towards first-time players and novices, both adults and kids. This book will help you: ✓ Get familiar with the game, its goal and rules, terminology and components. ✓ Easily memorize all the pieces, their movement options (including special movements) and how they can work in conjunction to devastate your opponent. ✓ Know what common tactics are and learn essential chess tactical motifs that will give you a competitive advantage over other beginners. ✓ Discover the difference between tactics and strategy. ✓ Learn the three stages of a chess game, discover key strategy principles, and know how to put them into action from the opening to the endgame. ✓ Memorize the best chess opening for beginners and recognize elementary checkmating patterns. ✓ Easily refresh learned lessons using sections with summarized information. And much MORE! This guide includes 70+ images which illustrate the given information, along with easy-to-follow, step-by-step explanations that demystify the game - and give you an extra edge. Much like in life, in chess you will find that you gravitate towards certain ideas and strategies. Many such strategies are found in this book, and in some ways, this book is meant to give you a grander idea of the kind of player you want to be. This guide is your first stepping stone toward growth as a player, covering tactics which can be used throughout the game and strategies in the opening, middle game, and endgame. It contains everything you need to start playing and win your first game. Amaze your family and friends with the techniques and knowledge gained from this guide and start enjoying your victories today!