With more than 400 illustrations, and detailed maps, this immense and deeply researched account of the history of chess covers not only the modern international game, derived from Persian and Arab roots, but a broad spectrum of variants going back 1500 years, some of which are still played in various parts of the world. The evolution of strategic board games, especially in India, China and Japan, is discussed in detail. Many more recent chess variants (board sizes, new pieces, 3-D, etc.) are fully covered. Instructions for play are provided, with historical context, for every game presented.

In 1979, Vincent Bianco has just graduated high school. His only desire: collect a little beer money and enjoy his final summer before college. So he lands a job as a laborer on a construction crew. Working alongside two Vietnam vets, one suffering from PTSD, Vincent gets the education of a lifetime.

Teaches amateur chess players how to improve their chess skills so they can become better players.

A completely updated edition of Bradt's Armenia guidebook includes both background detail and on-the-ground information to help travel in a fascinating and often overlooked country.

Annotation Famed for trying out a dazzling array of extreme sports as part of his weekend sport bulletin, few people are better placed than Mike Bushell to explain how, when, where and why you might consider joining the ranks of some of the world's most dedicated practitioners of activities with a high level of inherent danger. In this book, Mike describes everything you never knew you needed to know about shin kicking, elephant polo, worm charming, real tennis, swamp soccer, roller hockey and a whole raft of other wacky and bizarre sports.

The biographies of Great Personalities of the World have been written not only to glorify their great deeds, but also to provide great inspirational tales of achievement, sacrifice, courage, commitment and all those exemplary qualities that made them as famed as they are. This book is a humble approach to compile life sketches of Great Personalities of the World in different fields, so as to act as a source of inspiration and motivation for each individual to excel in the field of activity they are related with.