Book excerpt: If you want to learn about chess but find that most books are too hard for a beginner to understand, then this guide is tailor-made for you. Mark M. Wood, one of thirteen individuals in the United States certified as a national chess coach for the United States Chess Federation, explains the game in straightforward language. Drawing on the skills he learned as a lifelong educator, he shares activities that can be used with students of all ages—even those with limited experience playing the game. You’ll learn about the pieces on the board, how to prepare to play, tournament rules, how to record moves, moves to make when starting a game, five easy ways to get a draw, standard mating procedures, and much more. Every activity has been used by all ages and has been field assessed by Chinese and American students at distinct levels. Illustrations and simple explanations break down even the toughest concepts. Cut through the jargon, learn about strategy, and improve your chess game with Scholastic Chess Made Easy.