This article is intended for anybody that desires to improve his or her game of chess. It is without doubt or question not the intent of this article to show you how to be the greatest chess player in the world or how to get your rating over 2000. If you want to win at chess just follow what I say in this letter and you will attain significant results.

First I suggest that you buy or borrow a book entitled “A primer of Chess” by Capablanca. It is my conviction that Capablanca (Capa) was the greatest chess player in history. Read it three times over, cover to cover.

It is of the utmost importance that you gain control of the center of the board and keep it. If you do not control the center squares then the game is lost. Make sure that before you touch any piece that you look at the next move that each adjacent piece will make contingent on the piece that you move and where you move it. No one may keep their eye and mind all over the board. If you try you will expend too much energy and grow tired by attempting to second guess all of your opponents moves. Focus on the next move and it is affect on adjacent pieces.

As you fetch out your pieces (pawns are not pieces) make sure that you only move the piece once. Make sure that each move you make is a single move for each piece until all the pieces are out, and then castle. Try and have all of the piece out and castled by the eighth move and no later than the tenth. If this is the only piece of counsel that you heed you will find that your game performance will be up 50%.

Now when it comes to taking pieces always go for the exchange. The rule is interchange knights introductory then bishops. This is the reason why and few persons ever explain this. Knights are at their best when the board is filled with pawns and pieces because it is oafish in movement. It is exceedingly clumsy and awkward but on a cluttered board it is power is more outstanding than that of a queen! (See The Immortal ” a chess game played in 1851 by Adolf Anderssen where he sacrifices his queen in order to secure checkmate with a knight!) No other piece has the capacity to jump over pieces like the knight does. It is this distinguishable quality that makes the knight most effective for the duration of the get started of the game, when the board is cluttered. As the board clears and it becomes open the knights lose their power in ratio to the bishops gaining. That is why bishops are valued more, because they are applied later in the game. It is out of the question to escape the wrath of the bishops on an open board; they are like ray guns perpetually shooting at you.

When the prospect comes to interchange pieces do so and of course take any stray piece that is offered to you. Your goal is to clear the board so that you may march the pawns. That is the true mystery to the game of chess.

The king and pawns are what the game of chess is all regarding not the pieces, however, everyone else thinks just the opposite. Most persons do not care if they lose a pawn or two, as long as they have their piece. This is where you may gain tremendous ground. Let your contestant interchange and when he or she does undertake and make the interchange move so that the pawn is moved closer to the center of the board. Also, undertake and prevent the pawns from doubling up (stacked) this would more than likely cost you the game.

When you can, undertake and interchange the queens. Almost everyone hates to interchange their queen but do it. It is in your favor because your contestant feels weaker (and there is no substance to support that) and you may then more quickly with the progress of your pawns.

Now is the time to close in on your win. Move your king close to the middle pawns and keep the king in front of the pawns. Do not let the opponent’s king get in front of your furthering pawns. This is particularly true if there is only one pawn and it is yours. If the opponent’s king is ever competent to get in front of your single pawn and it is near the center of the board your will not win. Keep the king at the center and in front of your pawns at all times.

Finally, as you advance your pawns make sure that the squares that are adjacent to your king’s are always three in a row. In other works the side of the king take 3 spaces and the other king is not competent to approach those spots. Use that space as an aisle to advance your pawn to queen, your contestant will have no capacity to block your pawn.

Caution! It is highly advisable after you have queened your pawn to keep checking your opponent’s king as you move in to checkmate because ofttimes the game ends up as a stale-mate due to your opponent’s king not being competent to move and yet not being in check. This is a very mutual mistake.

With this advise you will find that your game is much improved. Enjoy!

Stephen F. Condren

Immortal Game History Chess

Chess is the most enduring and universal game in history. Here, bestselling author David Shenk chronicles it is intriguing saga, from ancient Persia to medieval Europe to the dens of Benjamin Franklin and Norman Schwarzkopf. Along the way, he examines a single legendary game that took place in London in 1851 among two masters of the time, and relays his own attempts to become as skilled as his Polish ancestor Samuel Rosenthal, a nineteenth-century champion. With it is blend of cultural history and Shenk’s personal interest, The Immortal Game is a compelling guide for novices and aficionados alike.

From Publishers WeeklyThose curious regarding chess and wishing to learn more with regards to the game (but not too much more) will welcome this accessible, nontechnical introduction. Shenk (The Forgetting) succinctly surveys the game’s history from it is origins in fifth- or sixth-century Persia up to the present, touching along the way on such subjects as his own amateurish pursuit of the game, erratic geniuses like Paul Morphy and Bobby Fischer, chess in schools today, computer chess and his great-great-grandfather Samuel Rosenthal, who was an eminent player in late 19th-century Europe. To heighten the drama, Shenk intersperses the text with the moves of the so-called “immortal game,” a brilliant example of “romantic” chess played amongst Adolf Anderssen and Lionel Kieseritzky in London in 1851. Appendixes include transcripts of five other outstanding games, along with Benjamin Franklin’s brief essay “The Morals of Chess.” Readers will come away from this agreeably diverting book with a strong sense of why chess has remained so general over the ages and why it is study still has much to tell us with regards to the workings of the humane mind. 50 b&w illus. (Sept.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Bookmarks MagazineDavid Shenk is the author of four former books, including The Forgetting, an acclaimed study of Alzheimer’s, and Data Smog, when it comes to info overload in the Internet age. The greatest asset of The Immortal Game is it is accessibility. Through an educated layperson’s psychological result of perception learning and reasoning of chess, Shenk focuses on his subject’s more intriguing points and leaves arcane rehashes of famous games for more technical texts. (An appendix obliges those who revel in such details.) At it is most engaging, the book meditates on the ways that chess may enrich lives. Given it is brevity, Shenk’s overview once in a while sacrifices depth to coverage, altho such an approach hardly decreases the pleasure even an fascinated “wood-pusher”—chess slang for a weak player—might take away from this ardent and well-researched history.

Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.

From BooklistVersatile author Shenk has conceived a bright idea for marching through the history of chess. His title a double entendre, Shenk alternates narrative passages on the ancient lineage of chess with move-by-move analysis of a spectacular 1851 contest that lore has dubbed “the immortal game.” Shenk is likewise an Everyman-guide, and his attitude is one that numerous readers will share–he is attracted to the game’s infinite future prospects or potentials but likewise intimidated by it is difficult body of analytic knowledge. Trying to master chess has deranged more than a few, such as artisan Marcel Duchamp and former champion Bobby Fischer, but it has likewise given outstanding pleasure to others, such as Benjamin Franklin. Seeking a reason for the popularity of chess from it is Persian and Indian roots 1,500 years ago to the present, Shenk decides it lies in chess’ fluidity as metaphor. It was merely conceived as a war game, but feudal European society found deeper significances within it, as cognitive psychologists and logicians do today. Rangy, anecdotal, and nontechnical, Shenk’s is usual chess history at it is most readable. Gilbert Taylor
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Immortal Game History Chess Image

Immortal Game History Chess Image

Immortal Game History Chess Pic

Immortal Game History Chess Pic

Immortal Game History Chess Picture

Immortal Game History Chess Pic

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430 of 441 people found the following review helpful.
Interesting and Well Written History of Chess
By Robert M. Snyder
“The Immortal Game” gives a different and intriguing insight not only into the history of chess, but points out how chess has had an impact in the lives of even non-chess players today (i.e. terminology and analogies taken from chess). It is obvious that the author (David Shenk – an established author outside of the filed of chess) has done his homework, and shows great appreciation for the 1400 year old game. His sources are documented in his sources and notes segment as well as the use of footnotes throughout the text.
Is this a dry and boring history of chess? Absolutely not! You will find numerous interesting stories about some of the top chess players in the world, but also there is a heavy focus on famous people who play chess (who didn’t gain their fame from chess). The author is quick to point out when something is a “story” or “legend” and that often a certain amount may contact some fact.
Do you need to know how to play chess to enjoy and learn from this book? No! In fact as you go through the book, basic rules are pointed out. Though not intended to be a book that teaches chess, for an absolute beginner, you will be gently introduced to the basics. There are a nice number of diagrams, pictures, maps and complete games (with light analysis to make the book of interest to the casual chess player). Great detail with diagrams for every move of the “immortal game” is given in segments throughout the book – an interesting way of going through the game – you can skip over the in between pages if you want to follow the game from start to finish with a diagram for each move (the pages with the game stand out and are easy to find). Interesting is also a look into the impact of artificial intelligence on chess and how chess is being used as a tool to teach children in school (improving match and reading ability).
If you are looking for a history book on the mechanics of the development of the game in great detail then “The History of Chess” by Murray is the classic work (from early chess to around the 18th century). If you are looking for a book with the major focus on the history and politics of top level chess players (with moderate number of well annotated games) over the last several centuries, the “The Chess Kings” by Olson, Volume One has been released. If you are non-chess player or a chess player looking for a little bit of everything on “Chess History” in a very well-rounded way that is scholarly yet not boring then “The Immortal Game” should be your first choice.

158 of 165 people found the following review helpful.
Psychological, historical and culture review by novice chess player
By Patrick D. Goonan
I liked this book because it was an excellent story written in the spirit of great fiction. It was well-organized and wove together many different threads from a variety of areas including psychology, history and culture.

53 of 57 people found the following review helpful.
If you are curious about chess,then read this great book!!
By Timothy G. Forney
I really enjoyed reading this book.It is a nice introduction to chess history and the game itself.It goes move by move with diagrams ,through the Immortal Game, played by Adolf Anderssen. It teaches you algebraic chess notation,which is the language of chess.It also teaches you the ideas behind each move.This book takes you on a journey of the game of chess, through time and many cultures .It tells of the dark side of chess ,its obsession and its madness. It also tells of the light side of chess ,its creativity, and its positive influence on human beings. He writes about its influence on children and the elderly.I could not put this book down and read it in 2 days.I found one minor notation error.This would make a great gift for a friend who may want to learn chess.I highly recommend buying this book.

See all 58 customer reviews…

If you’re still buying your Nintendo Wii Games from your local games shop, stop! Now there’s a lot more comfortable way to get all your Wii media. Downloading games from the internet has not long ago become frequent for platforms like the Playstation 2 and the PSP but now you may download your Wii Games online. Wii Media Downloads is the original online service that allows you to do this. Imagine only paying a little one-time fee, less than the price of one Wii game, and having access to a massive database of all the latest games for life.

Not only games, Wii Media Downloads lets you download music, TV shows, movies, software and more, then without any delay play them on your Nintendo Wii. Imagine playing one game whilst downloading another one. Goodbye Boredom! Wii Media Downloads has a number of great features when you join, permitting you to download all their media whenever you like. Unlike a lot of services online, there’s no on a monthly basis fee to pay, you pay once and you’ve got access for life.

The service also includes all the tools you need for downloading and playing your new games and media and if you ever need any questions asked, there’s a 24/7 client aid team waiting to help you. Wii Media Downloads also includes a cash back guarantee, no questions asked in case your not happy with their service. What have you got to lose?!

So to sum up, Wii Media Downloads lets you download great, new Wii Games, Music, TV shows, Movies, Software and more, for only a little one-time fee. They have a 24/7 help service and a cash back guarantee.

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii

Up to four (4) of these same controllers may be plugged directly into the Wii console when enjoying Nintendo GameCube game discs on your Wii. Note: GameCube controllers only work when playing GameCube games on the Wii console. Exceptions to this include Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart, both of which grant you to use your GameCube controllers. It’s possible there are or will be other exceptions. Check your games’ instruction books to be sure.

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Picture

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Image

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Pic

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Pic

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Photo

Free Play Game Pad Nintendo Wii Picture

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39 of 41 people found the following review helpful.
Really great controller
By Xero
This is the official Nintendo Gamecube controller. This, obviously, can be used on the gamecube and also the Wii. This controller looks amazing in it’s clean, stylish white color. What is really nice about this certain colored gamecube controller is that it matches the Wii’s color, and more importantly, has a longer cable than the other colors.

This is overall a great purchase to anyone looking to play Gamecube games, and certain Wii games such as Super smash Bros. Brawl or Mario Kart Wii.

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful.
Perfection
By Zane E. Kipfmiller
If there has ever been a controller out there that you have been looking for then look no further because this has got to be the best Gamecube controller I’ve ever found. It plays perfectly and the buttons are smooth; the L and R buttons click in fast without any real push from the springs. The 10ft( or 3m[or 9.8ft for those technical guys]) cord was a surprise to me, I didn’t even know it was going to be that long and really I’m glad it was. A long cord like that for controllers work well for where i play my games. This is a definite recommendation and I urge all those looking to buy a new controller to pick this up even if you think the price might not be worth it, just trust me cuz it truly is. You won’t regret buying this product.

40 of 45 people found the following review helpful.
It’s a Gamecube Controller
By RWZBomber
It’s straight up a standard Gamecube controller but colored to match a Wii. The cord for it seems to be about 10ft which (if I recall correctly) is much longer than the original Gamecube controller’s cord was. I’d recommend it for anyone who needs a Gamecube controller in general or if you’re looking for one for the Wii.

See all 73 customer reviews…

There are so a heap of Xbox 360 games freed in a year these days with some of these games never living up to expectation. In these dire times of economic crunch you need to recognise the best Xbox 360 games in 2011 and this is what I shall be doing in this article, reviewing the top ten Xbox 360 games 2011.

1. Batman Arkham city: is a sequel to the Batman: Arkham Asylum game. This adventure video game sets the scene in a new emplacement – Arkham City, a year after the events of the former game. Rocksteady studio is looking to build on the success of Batman: Arkham Asylum by introducing a lot of new features such as Batman being capable to dodge bullets and climb walls. The video game is due for release in September 2011.

2. Draon Age II: is an upcoming sequel to the 2009 Game of the Year and is set to be release in Europe on the 11th of March 2011. BioWare the developer of this game has chosen to focus is attention on formulating a better dragon age engine and fix issues with the release of the basi game like poor graphics quality.

3. Portals 2: This first-person shooter puzzle video game is due for release in April 2011. The game is a sequel to the well received title freed in 2007. However different from the basi game which was freed as a sort of mini game along side Episode 2 and Team Fortress 2, Portal 2 is here to stand as a video game on it is own. Portal 2 will carry on to test gamers capacity to solve puzzles using the portal gun within the Aperture Science Enrichment Center.

4. BulletStorm: is another first-person shooter game schedule for release on February 22, 2011. The video game is devised by People Can Fly and centres on two Dead Echo members: Grayson Hunt and Ishi Sato who were betrayed by their commander for falling out with their employer. Now banished to a far away abandoned galaxy, Grayson is determined to fight his way off the alien eating planet and carry out revenge on those that exiled him. The video game has a reward scheme based on a player’s capacity to manufacture and incite mayhem. Bulletstorm will be including a beta version of Gears of War 3 multiplayer with the Xbox 360 version of this game.

5. Gears of War 3: is a third-person shooter game scheduled for release in the last quarter of this year. The video game is a Xbox 360 exclusive title featuring new playable characters, weapons and a new four-player co-op mode. Gears of War 3 will also be including a new playing mode called Beast which would concede players to attack as Locust. It has been stated that this edition of the game will answer most of the questions that gamers have been asking in regards to the “history of the world”

6. Dead space 2 : is a sequel to an earlier title freed in 2008 – Dead Space 1. The game features the return of astro engineer Isaac Clarke who has the misfortune of landing slap bang in another alien territory called the Sprawl. Isaac needs to take on this new onslaught of zombies to survive in this third person shooter game. Dead Space 2 was freed on the 25th of January in the US and 28th of January in the UK.

7. Mass Effect 3: is the upcoming sequel to the Mass Effect 2 video game. Mass Effect 3 will be the final game in the Mass Effect trilogy concluding the story started off in Mass Effect and continued in Mass Effect 2. Not much is known in regards to the gameplay nonetheless you will be capable to import conclusions from the former releases of the game. This action RPG video game is schedule for release in the fourth quarter of 2011.

8. Rage: is an upcoming action packed basi shooter person video game. The game is schedule for release in September 2011. The game centres around the events that occurred in a post-apocalyptic world after the affect of an asteriod. The humane race ought to now rebuild nevertheless they need defend themselves versus a well organised set of foes if they are to survive. It has been revealed that the uncompressed version of the game is regarding a terabyte in size and will ship on more than one DVD disc.

9. Deus EX: Human Revolution: is the third game in the Deux series. Deus EX Human Revolution features Adam Jensen who was cybernectically augmented versus his will. Adam uses his newfound powers to battle it out versus other androidy types in this multiple plot conspiracy game. This basi person shooter video game is a follow-up to two antecedently well received titles: Deus EX and Deus Ex: Invisible War.The game is schedule for release on March 8, 2011

10. Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: This role play video game is produced by Bethesda on a brand new engine and scheduled for release on November 11, 2011. The gameplay is a continuance of the former series with players playing the role of the last dragonborn in the race to save mankind from the hands of the dragons.

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360

NASCAR The Game 2011 has been built from the ground up to make a exhaustively new experience. The development team started by speaking with the persons who know NASCAR best – the fans – and took that clear or deep perception to the teams, drivers and officials to wholly hug what makes NASCAR America’s #1 motorsport. Players may choose to play as themselves or as one of the sport’s real-world drivers as they battle it out for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship. Each pro driver has the AI characteristics of his or her real world counterpart, setting the stage for intense rivalries played out on the track. Damage is meticulously elaborated and multi-car wrecks are the most uttermost ever experienced in an officially licensed racing game. From the 22 real world tracks to full pit stop system action, NASCAR The Game 2011 captures the real atmosphere, sense of speed and spectacle that embodies NASCAR. Players may even feel the almost pleasurable sensation of fright of a win with the interactional celebration mode. The game likewise includes in-depth multiplayer modes which grant up to 16 players to battle it out for the win online. In both online and offline races, players earn NASCAR experience points which aid unlock rewards such as decal packs or particular car designs, as well as career sponsorships and special races all around career mode. Everything you do on the track counts! With a fresh infusion of real world detail and blistering racing action, NASCAR The Game 2011 completely redefines what fans may suppose from a NASCAR racing game.

NASCAR The Game 2011 is a Simulation Racing game that brings the unfeigned excitement of world widely known and esteemed NASCAR racing to home gaming consoles. A departure from earlier NASCAR games, this all-new racing series focuses much more closely on realistic distinct features of NASCAR racing. These include: a deep career mode, progressed AI permitting for realistic driver appearances, spacious tuning abilities for vehicles, pit stop and spotter functionality permitting for important race strategy, severe in-game harm and bettered online play.

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Image

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Image

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Photo

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Image

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Picture

Nascar Game 2011 Xbox 360 Image

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40 of 43 people found the following review helpful.
NASCAR The Game 2011 Xbox 360 Review
By Gamer 6_01_8_5
I must say, I was excited for the release of this game, but after playing the retail version with patch #1 downloaded from Xbox Live, I am most disappointed. The developers and publishers (Eutechnyx and Activision), in my opinion, have released a beta version. The developers started off with the right idea, but, either due to time constraints, budget issues, or contractual obligations, released an unfinished and untested game. This game, compared to other racing games (not just NASCAR games), is poor and unfinished. Compared to today’s current generation offerings, to include but not limited to: GRID, DIRT 2, FORZA 3, GT5, Flat Out: Ultimate Carnage, PGR4, BLUR, MotorStorm, NFS HP, Shift 2, etc…, there is no comparison. The immersion, graphics, AI, game play, replay value, car customization, as well as replay mode (some of the above have replay mode) are far and above what NASCAR The Game 2011 can offer.

34 of 39 people found the following review helpful.
Complete waste of $
By Tony E.
Out of the box, this is the biggest disaster I have ever witnessed. There’s more bad than good about this game. The worst thing I have seen in 20+ years of console and computer gaming.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful.
Are you kidding me??? NASCAR should be ashamed.
By msubulldog54
I bought this as a pre-order because I was so amped up about getting a NASCAR game for my XBox 360. What I saw online was that this was supposed to be a great game, and would be better than ever. WRONG. A lot of people have spoken about the game play, but I will tell you what makes me mad that I paid $60 for this game.

1. The points system is last year’s system. I’m a huge NASCAR fan, and I want the new rules to be included in my NASCAR games. If I just wanted to race, I would stick to Forza. I want NASCAR.

2. Pit Stops – It is great that they used motion capture of Matt Kenseth’s “Killer Bees”, but they didn’t capture any mistakes. Every pit stop is the same every time, and you gain no advantage or disadvantage on pit road. They give you some different options for adjusting your car on pit road, but you don’t get to fix any damage. In fact, they barely give you enough time to take advantage of the few adjustment options they do have. Under caution, the cars on track go much faster than pit road speed, so you end up losing tons of spots on pass through penalties. A huge pet peave of mine is that they still have a catch can man. There are no catch cans in NASCAR anymore!!!

3. Career Mode??? – ONE season does not constitute a career mode. Besides, whose career starts in the Sprint Cup series, anyway? What happened to the Whelen Modifieds, the Truck Series, and Nationwide??? You don’t get any of those options.

4. Sponsorships – In order to get a sponsorship, you have to complete certain achievements. Once you obtain a sponsorship, there is no money involved, and the sponsor doesn’t even get to go on the car. If there is one thing I know, it’s that sponsors want their names to be seen. There are fewer than 20 sponsors you can choose for your car, and you can get them regardless of whether or not you have a sponsorship from them.

5. Car Customization – You can choose 1 car color, and no secondary colors. In order to accomplish any type of this, you have to spend way too much time picking layers and graphics. Then comes actually applying them to the car. The settings for the controls are too sensitive to get them in the right spots. No matter what you make your number, you’re still #53. It took a lot of time to actually get my car to have a number on it on race day. Getting an outline on a number is nearly impossible, but after an hour, I accomplished it correctly.

All in all, I am glad to have a good NASCAR game. Unfortunately, it’s on my PS2 and several years old. This game is the result of NASCAR letting a European company take a 100% American sport and making it into a video game. I don’t think they can put enough patches or changes out to make this game tolerable. I can’t wait until the 5 year contract is up on this developer. NASCAR should be ashamed of this game, and I’m shocked they let their name be on it with such little effort put into making it.

See all 70 customer reviews…

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game

The all-new Kindle – Lighter, smaller, more immediate – 30% lighter, less than 6 ounces – 18% littler body, same 6″ screen size – Fits in your pocket – Most innovative E Ink display, reads like paper – Built in Wi-Fi – Get books in 60 seconds – Massive book selection, over 800,000 titles are $9.99 or less – New – Borrow Kindle books from your public library

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game Photo

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game Picture

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game Picture

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game Picture

Treasure 1480657016 Ikaruga Online Game Pic

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7420 of 7551 people found the following review helpful.
Fantastic device – pick your Kindle!
By FreeSpirit
Having been a little overwhelmed by the choices between all the new Kindles and which one to get, I ordered this new basic $79 Kindle first to take for a spin. So far, I like what I see. I also own a Kindle 3 so that’s the only device I can really compare it to at this time (I think a comparison between other tablets and this Kindle is meaningless, this device is all about content and delivery):

1. Form-factor – Compared to the Kindle 3, this Kindle feels more compact, lighter and easier to hold. My hands wrap around this better than K3. Reading books for a few hours at a stretch will be easier on this device compared to the K3. It is the lightest such device I have used compared to all previous Kindles and other tablets.

2. Screen – I personally like the fact that there are no keys on the device and that keys come up on the screen when you need them. Delivers a better overall reading experience. However, navigating through the on-screen keyboard with the 5-way controller can be taxing if you need to do a lot of searching, and you might miss the full physical keyboard. I hardly search on the Kindle itself, I search for books on my laptop so this is a non-issue.

3. Price! – At $79, you can’t go wrong. Compared to buying paperback or hardcover editions, you will recover the cost of this in a matter of a few months because most Kindle content is priced cheaper than print editions (and you get it instantly, and can access it wherever you are). Not to mention all the free Kindle downloads available in the catalog.

4. Display – almost the same E-ink display at the K3. No glare no reflection. You can sit in bright sunlight and read it just like a book. Page turns seem a lot faster on this compared to the K3. Screen size of the Kindle 3, this new Kindle, and the Touch is exactly the same in size.

5. Wi-Fi – this can be a pro or a con (no 3G) depending on a user’s personal preference. If you travel often and would like to be able to download content anywhere without worrying about getting a wi-fi connection, you’re better off sticking with the K3 or waiting for the Touch/Fire. For me, 3G is not a major issue.

6. Text to Speech and Audiobooks – These two features are lacking in this device. I personally have never used these features on my K3. If you listen to audiobooks or TTS or music on your Kindle, again the K3/Touch/Fire might be better options.

7. Storage – this device can store 2GB which they claim is approximately 1400 books. For me, that’s a massive storage capacity and it will be years before I get close to that capacity. Again, if you download books occasionally and have a moderate Kindle downloaded content on your device, 2GB is plenty. Of course, think ahead and see how much you would expect to download in the coming 2 years (I am assuming the device will be outdated and replaced within this time-frame).

8. Battery life – too early to tell but Kindle battery life tends to be great. Specs state that the battery life of this device is 1 month compared to 2 months for the Touch or K3. 1 month is plenty (Android phones need to be charged every hour!). At least I know that if I’m going on a long flight, this device won’t need charging if I charge it up in advance.

9. Power adapter – this Kindle does not come with a power adapter, only a USB charging cable. You can either buy it separately for $8-10, or use your existing USB power adapter. Any USB adapter would work with the charging cable (previous Kindle versions, Apple’s portable devices, and most HTC phones, come with a standard USB power adapter that would work for this device). There are also plenty of $2-3 adapters available here if you search for USB chargers.

Bottom line – the choice between this basic Kindle, the K3 Keyboard, the Touch, and the Fire is really a personal preference. This device itself is meant for the minimalist Kindle user who, like me, reads say a 2-3 books a month, wants a device comfortable to hold, and doesn’t need any fancy bells and whistles on the device. I guess it depends on what you use your Kindle for. If it’s just the basics, this is the perfect device to get.

In my humble opinion, the choices:

(i) If you have a DX or an old Kindle version, or if you don’t have a Kindle yet and are an average book-reader, this is definitely the one to get – baseline model that is affordable and is a pure e-reader.

(ii) If you have Kindle 3 and don’t really need an upgrade, I recommend sticking with the K3, it’s a better device than this one in terms of features. If you do need to upgrade, the Touch is probably a better option because of all the additional features, at a small incremental cost.

(iii) If you’re looking for the loaded full-on Amazon content experience with access to all the apps, streaming audio and video, and playing the “strangely therapeutic” Fruit Ninja, wait for the Fire!

I sincerely hope this review helps you decide whether this Kindle is right for you. If you are still unable to make a decision, it may be worthwhile to wait for the Touch and Fire to be released, and see the reviews on those devices before making a final decision.

2913 of 2986 people found the following review helpful.
Facts to Consider when Buying This Kindle Instead of Others
By J. Ts
First off, I received my new Kindle this morning. I previously owned the Kindle Keyboard, but actually really didn’t like the keyboard or the way the buttons were pressed together. I’m not a fan of touch screens so I bought this one.

There are a few things to know about this particular Kindle that can help you decide if it’s right for you…

Here is a list of things to know about this Kindle.

1. You’ll be using an onscreen keyboard with the 5-Way Controller. This is not a problem for setting up WiFi and a little writing but if you are an avid note-taker or do a lot of writing with your Kindle, you might want to opt for the Kindle Keyboard.
2. NO AUDIO – If you are planning on listening to audiobooks, Mp3s, or Text to Speech on your Kindle, this is not the device for you. There is not even a headphone jack, so there is absolutely no audio support.
3. 2GB! This device has 2GB of storage, which is half of all the others… if you seriously need to keep over 1,400 books or so on your Kindle, you should opt for one of the others, all of which have 4GB. I only keep a hundred or so books on mine and the rest are up in the Amazon Cloud waiting for convenient download.
4. There’s no 3G version but the WiFi works just fine.
5. There is a shorter battery life. Amazon reports the battery life is only one month of reading, compared with the others that clock in at two months. If you are going to be away from electricity for over a month, first of all RESPECT!, second of all, you may want a Kindle that has the 2 month battery life.
6. It’s lighter than all the other versions. It weighs in at just under 6oz (170g). The closest competition is the Kindle Touch which is about 7.5oz.
7. It has 5 buttons on the face at the bottom. In the middle is the big 5-Way Controller button as found on other Kindles. There are two small buttons on either side of this. On the left side, from left to right are the “Back” button and the “Keyboard” button. The “Back” button is the same as on other Kindles. The “Keyboard” button calls the onscreen keyboard onto the screen. On the right side of the 5-Way Controller are (again, from left to right) the “Menu” button, and the “Home” button. The “Next Page” and “Previous Page” buttons are the same as on other Kindles.
8. Because of the above 5 buttons, I find it much easier to use than the Kindle Keyboard. On the Kindle Keyboard, the “Back” button was right below the 5-Way Controller, and I accidentally hit it on more than one occasion.
9. On the bottom there is only the mini-USB port, the charging light, and the On-Off Button.
10. There are not a whole lot of covers available for this Kindle yet. (Amazon’s won’t be available until the end of October.)

As for reading, and as a pure reading device. It is awesome… in fact, without the keyboard, audio, and other features I don’t need. This is actually the best one for someone like me who just wants to read.

I’ve already successfully transferred my library, downloaded books over WiFi, and borrowed library books through the Overdrive Library eBooks System. My only small point of dissatisfaction is that there are so few good covers and accessories right now (though there ARE some available that look pretty good).

All in all, I believe this is the BEST of all the Kindles currently available. Only consider others if you:
a. Really want the touch screen version.
b. Need audio.
c. Need 4GB
d. Need a big Kindle DX.
e. Take a lot of notes or do a lot of writing that requires a keyboard.
f. Prefer the design of another version.
g. Need more than a month’s battery power.

Hope this helps someone make a good decision!

(Brief update: I love this Kindle, but right now the scarcity of good, inexpensive covers for it is a little troubling. The Amazon made leather one with light won’t be available until November or so and there are currently no inexpensive ones to use in the interim. I’ll just have to use it gently for a month or so.)

Update on cases:
I mentioned this in the comments section, but I’ll repeat it here for people who can’t yet find a good case -

Checking the specifications for the Kindle, Nook Touch, and Kobo:
Nook Touch
6.5 x 5 x 0.5 inches
Kobo Reader
6.5 X 4.5 inches
Kindle (4th Generation)
6.5 x 4.5 x 0.34 inches

It looks like the Kobo is about exactly the same size and the Nook Touch is slightly longer. If you need a case but can’t find one that you like yet, it may be worth a little hunting to see if a nook or kobo case or cover might fit the bill.

1144 of 1209 people found the following review helpful.
The most compact Kindle yet. Extremely legible display, snappy performance
By M. Erb
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/RWG7OQ5NMGUMW I was thrilled to receive my new Kindle. I ordered it Sep 28, chose overnight shipping and it arrived (Sep 29) just a few minutes ago. Usually I use a device for a while before reviewing it. In this case, I felt it was important to do a quick review right away because if it can help you in your purchasing decision, so much the better.

If you are a little perplexed with all the various Kindle models and are wondering if this Is the Kindle for you, here are a few questions for you to consider…

1. Do you need text to speech capability or have the desire to listen to mp3′s on your Kindle? If you can live without that, then proceed. This Kindle does not have a speaker thus is not capable of text to speech or playing sounds of any kind including mp3′s.

2. Is color important to you? This is not a color Kindle, it is gray-scale. If you are mostly wanting to read books then this will work for you exceedingly well. The e-ink screen is gorgeous, sharp and provides the ability to change font size, font face and line spacing. It even displays photos quite nicely, but in gray-scale. And you can even zoom in on images.

3. Is a physical keyboard a necessity for you? If you like to make notes and annotations while reading, you may want to look at another model Kindle that has a physical keyboard. Although this Kindle has a screen-based keyboard, it is tedious to type more than a few words or URL’s. It works very well for minimal typing but it’s not for you if you need more than that.

4. Is compact size important for you? Then this is the one to get. It’s thin, light and diminutive in size. Slips easily into a purse, pocket or inside pocket. It is so light which makes holding and reading with one hand for longer periods of time very easy.

5. Do you want to be able to occasionally use a web browser to access a web site? Well surprise surprise, you can do that on this Kindle. It’s an “experimental” feature but it works quite well. It’s been experimental for years, so I’m not quite sure why it’s still labeled experimental. But in any case you can visit websites, save bookmarks and it works.

I also own the original Kindle with the SD card slot. Compared to the original Kindle, this new one is svelte. Thinner, lighter and notably, the e-ink on this new Kindle is vastly improved. In low interior lighting with gray overcast lighting outside, I’m able to easily read the Kindle. It is amazing how the screen almost glows, as if it were backlit. Of course it is not backlit and in fact will not work in the dark. But if you have a small reading light, that solves that problem. Otherwise in most other situations you will pleased with the excellent sharpness and clarity of the Kindle text.

Page “turning” was very snappy to me especially when compared to my old Kindle. The black page flash that occurs on every page turn on the old Kindle does not occur nearly as frequently with the new Kindle. It now occurs after every 5 page turns.

The fact that there is no physical keyboard means that this Kindle is absolutely the easiest to carry Kindle ever. Fits nicely in the hand and the slightly grippy surface makes you feel secure in holding it… it will not easily slip out of your hand.

Setup was a breeze. The Kindle immediately identified my Wi-Fi network and as soon as I entered my password using the onscreen keyboard, I was good to go. Signal strength indicated very high on the Kindle and I did not notice any degradation in signal no matter how I handled it.

As concerns the onscreen keyboard, it was easy and intuitive to use. I don’t expect to have to use it very often and for me I’d rather have no physical keyboard because that makes the Kindle smaller and easier to pack and go.

You still get the typical Kindle tools, such as Highlighting, Notes, Annotations, Public Notes and a few others. You can upload PDF and TXT files and view them. You can easily transfer prior Kindle purchases to your new Kindle. You have the ability to create “collections” Once you’ve created a collection, you add items to it and this is a great way to organize many books.

I have not had this model long enough to comment on battery life, but I’m sure that based on my previous Kindle and the specifications that it will excel. I believe that reading 1/2 hour a day will let you go a month before needing a charge if Wi-Fi is off. That’s pretty awesome. It is charged via the included USB cable and that can be from your computer or via an AC to USB power adapter, or in-car power port USB adapter.

And don’t worry that the memory has decreased in this Kindle. There is still more than enough memory to hold well over 1000 books. And you archive books too which means they are just a click and a few seconds away from being downloaded back to your Kindle from the Amazon Cloud.

Regarding the ads… they are not objectionable. In fact (don’t tell this to the advertisers) I didn’t even notice that there was an advertisement on the home screen until I deliberately looked for it. It takes up just a small portion of the bottom of the screen and is no taller than an inch in height. I don’t know for sure whether all ads are the same size but the one I’m looking at is very unobtrusive. The screensaver ads are full page and don’t bother me at all. And of course, you may just end up getting a good deal on something. I LIKE the ads. Just today I got a couple from an ad that saves me $5 on a $10 Amazon purchase in addition to my choice of a selected list of Mystery/Thriller books for only $1. Love the deals!

I think Amazon has another winner on its hands with this ad-supported Kindle. You just can’t beat it for reading and I’m so glad I got it.

If you have any questions please leave a comment and I’ll do my best to answer them.

UPDATE: 10/16/2011 – I had the opportunity to compare the display of my new Kindle with that of a friends who had a Kindle with keyboard. I’m not sure how old his is, but his display actually had a somewhat lighter colored background which made the legibility slightly better in my opinion. I was quite happy with the clarity, sharpness and contrast of my new Kindle until I compared with him. Now I’m a little conflicted. It’s still great, don’t get me wrong, But it’s not an improvement necessarily over the previous generation as far as I can tell. It’s also possible that there are variations in the e-ink display depending on the luck of the draw. I may question Amazon about this and will report back here if I do. I’d still get this in a heartbeat, but just wanted to let you know about the contrast issue.

UPDATE: 10/17/2011 – There is a new firmware update for the Kindle that addresses the page refresh issue. The new version is 4.0.1 If installed, you will see an additional option in the Settings panel on page 3 called “Page Refresh.” This allows you to have the Kindle refresh the page at each page turn (the screen flashes black briefly.) Otherwise the Kindle will not refresh the page until after each 5 page turns.

UPDATE: 10/19/2011 – I called Amazon Kindle Support to discuss the screen darkness issue I mentioned above. They said they’d send a replacement which I’ve just received. I’m happy to say that the screen background is in fact -slightly- lighter in color on the new Kindle I just received. I’m happy and probably would have still been happy had I not replaced it. But at least I am psychologically satisfied now. The difference in background color was extremely subtle so I wouldn’t worry at all about it if you are happy with your newly purchased $79 Kindle. However there do seem to be some circulating that are more obviously darker and if yours is one of those, then contact Amazon.

UPDATE: 12/6/2011 – Wow, the way these specials offers are going, this Kindle is going to end up being free. I just got another $10 Amazon gift card for $5 the other day. Plus a free Audible Audiobook and 50% off a Kindle cover. Loving the special offers.

See all 3774 customer reviews…

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