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Oliver Boydell
10-Year-Old Author!

Question: Why care what a 10-year-old thinks about 25 of the most celebrated, classic chess games ever played?

Answer: The 10-year-old is a CHESS PRODIGY!

Imagine knowing what 10-year-old Bobby Fischer thought about the classic games chess he studied–knowing firsthand from Bobby’s own personal notes!


USA National Kindergarten
Chess ChampionOliver Boydell cute in hoodie sitting behind white chess pieces

Oliver sometimes plays grown strangers in chess hotspots like Washington Square Park in NYC–the pint-sized genius pulling his trademark hoodie down over his head to limit distractions and “keep focused.”

At 5 years old, Oliver Boydell won the USA National Kindergarten Chess Championship.

Now, five years later, Oliver has written a book about the 25 legendary, classic chess games that he found most impressive!

How did that happen? Oliver made good use of his increased at-home time!

Oliver studied many legendary, classical chess games. “I had so many notes from studying them, I decided to write a book.”

He wrote his book about the 25 classic games that taught him the most! Among the players whose games he included in his book are Magnus Carlsen, Mikhail Botvinnik, Bobby Fischer, Garry Kasparov, Judit Polgar, Akiba Rubinstein, Boris Spassky and many more!


Oliver wrote during the covid pandemic!

Oliver Boydell holing his book He's Got Moves

Oliver holding his newly published book, He’s Got Moves.

He’s Got Moves

In the extra time with his family in their apartment in New York City during the spring and summer months during the pandemic, Oliver completed his book He’s Got Moves in an amazingly short time.

In his book, Oliver asks the reader questions–and provides the answers at the end of the book. After each game, he gives his favorite move and a list of “Lessons Learned.” A great design for an instructional chess book!


Oliver Boydell and his Vietnamese mother

“Chef Oliver” and his mother at Victoria Peak overlooking Hong Kong after a dim sum dinner!

Oliver’s mom, Tiffany, is a 49-year-old attorney who has accompanied her son to chess tournaments across the USA and around the world.

Oliver lives in the Tribeca neighborhood in New York City with his family.


Oliver taught himself to play chess!

Oliver Boydell and his English father

Oliver and his father at the zoo.

A Passion for Chess

Oliver Boydell was born in New York City to a Vietnamese mother and an English father.

A National Chess Champion and a New York City Chess Champion, Oliver developed a passion for chess at the age of five.

Oliver taught himself to play by using his iPad! “There wasn’t even a chess set in the house,” his mom Tiffany said.

In November at the 2016 World Chess Championship held in NYC near his home, GM Judit Polgar, arguably the strongest female chess player in the history of chess and a commentator at the event, autographed the iPad that Oliver had used to teach himself chess!


Oliver’s Coaches & Support 

Oliver Boydell with GM Irina Krush and GM Maurice Ashley

Irina Oliver with chess coach Irina Krush and GM Maurice Ashley

Oliver also now trains twice a week with eight-time USA Women’s Chess Champion GM Irina Krush.

Irina Krush said, “I really enjoyed…how Oliver shares his favorite move from each game. Most chess books are written by adults, but it’s refreshing to see these games…through the eyes of a young up-and-coming player.”

GM Maurice Ashley said, “Oliver has taken the classics and put his personal spin on them. This gifted young writer…has a bright future!”

Oliver with his chess teacher Bruce Pandolfini

Oliver with chess coach Bruce Pandolfini

In addition, the storied chess teacher Bruce Pandolfini–the Dean of Scholastic Chess Teachers–has coached Oliver for 5 years now.

Bruce said, “Young or old, new to the game or experienced, readers will find Oliver Boydell’s first book…an inspiration.”


Learn the Chess Strategies & Tactics

that

Oliver Boydell

Knows!

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Beginner’s Book – Chess Rules For Students

Chess Rules For Students workbook

“Knights Battle”

Chess Rules For Students is a workbook for students learning the game of chess and for beginning students returning to the game. No previous knowledge of chess is necessary. Parents unfamiliar with chess will find this booklet a valuable guide to their child’s new interest.

Chess Rules For Students is designed with students, coaches, and parents in mind. Reading level is appropriate for grade-school use. All major rules of chess are covered, and algebraic notation worksheets are included. Each page is in easy-to-use worksheet format.

A student-friendly Answer Key makes self-correction fun!


Beginners & Intermediate Book – Checkmate! Ideas For Students

Checkmate! Ideas For Students

“Knight Checkmates King!”

Checkmate! Ideas For Students is a workbook for beginning and intermediate students. Checkmate! covers the tactics used in checkmate attacks with clear explanations, diagrams and arrows to pinpoint the key features.

Unlike many other basic checkmate books, Checkmate! categorizes the checkmates by the tactics used to force the checkmate–like Pins, Sacrifices, Removing the Guard, Attraction, Clearance and Attacking Flight Squares–rather than only the checkmate pattern itself.

The worksheets and Answer Key are clear and simple for the student to use, and easy for the parent, teacher and coach to correct! Fun!


Intermediate & Advanced Book – Chess Tactics For Students

Chess Tactics For Students workbook

“Profiles Face-Off in King’s Shadow”

Chess Tactics For Students contains 434 carefully selected problems in worksheet format.

Chess Tactics has been extensively field tested with elementary, middle-school, and high-school students over a four-year period. This book is ideal for independent seat work as well as for homework and classroom instruction.

The worksheet format and Answer Key enable self-correction with minimal dependence or direct help from a chess teacher, coach, or parent.


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Checkmate In One Prize
Chess Rules For Students Workbook
An instructional workbook designed for students learning the game of chess. Click here to learn more!
Checkmate In Two Prize
Checkmate! Ideas For Students
An instructional workbook containing tactics in worksheet format used to checkmate--like Pins, Sacrifices, Removing the Guard, Attraction, Clearance, and Attacking Flight Squares!
Checkmate In Three Prize
Chess Tactics For Students
An instructional workbook containing 434 carefully selected problems presented in worksheet format.

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