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Review: How to Win at Chess by Levy Rozman (GothamChess)

Levy Rozman, better known as GothamChess, brings his signature humor, clarity, and energy to the page in How to Win at Chess: The Ultimate Guide for Beginners and Beyond. The book is beautifully designed, packed with over 500 diagrams, and structured into two parts: beginner (0–800 ELO) and early intermediate (800–1200 ELO). PenguinRandomhouse.com+1

What Readers Like (Based on Amazon & Other Feedback)

  • According to the Amazon product page, the book is a “fun, clever guide” that covers openings, tactics, strategy, and endgames in a tutorial style aimed at beginners and rising players. Amazon+1

  • In reviews across platforms, many highlight how accessible the writing is — Rozman avoids overly technical jargon and makes ideas easy to grasp. nickplayschess.com+2chessarticle.com+2

  • The inclusion of QR codes at the end of chapters that link to bonus content on his teaching platform, Chessly, is praised by some readers as a value-add. Reddit

  • A number of readers credit the book with helping them internalize key tactical patterns. The “CCA” (Checks, Captures, Attacks) heuristic, in particular, is mentioned positively as a way to simplify thinking during tactics. Chess.com+1

  • Fans of Rozman’s YouTube and Twitch content especially appreciate having a “physical Levy” to turn to — the tone feels very familiar. nickplayschess.com

Criticisms & Limitations

  • Because the book covers a wide range of content in a relatively short format, some sections feel too brief or “surface-level,” especially openings. Chess.com+1

  • Several readers mention that if you’re already rated around 1100–1300, much of the material may feel familiar or redundant. Reddit

  • There’s some disappointment that key ideas are pushed into the online Chessly content, instead of being fully explored in the book. Chess.com

  • As one reviewer points out, for more advanced players, this might not serve as a long-term study resource — it's best as a foundation rather than a deep-dive guide. chessarticle.com

Verdict

If you’re a new or early-intermediate player, or a fan of Levy Rozman’s teaching style online, this book is a fantastic fit. It’s not meant to replace classic, deeply analytical chess tomes — but as a friendly, well-designed gateway into serious learning, it delivers.

For players much above ~1200, you might want to use this as a supplement rather than your main study tool. But for what it sets out to do — make chess approachable, fun, and practical — How to Win at Chess is a strong recommendation.