This book was originally published as The Official Blue Book and Encyclopedia of Chess. In reprinting this book, the word "Official" has been deleted because the official rules have since been published by FIDE. However, the rules are substantially the same, just the new rules are more complex and detailed.

The author, Kenneth Harkness, was the inventor and developer of the chess rating system that is now used in every country of the world. Although the formulas now in use are different, the basic principles are the same.

Kenneth Harkness was also essentially the inventor of the weekend Swiss System chess tournament. Harkness also invented the system of making pairings by rating, which is substantially the same as in use today. Harkness invented tie-breaking systems for use in Swiss System tournaments as well.

This seminal book explains all of this. This book planted the seeds for the development and the popularization of chess world wide.

This book also explains how to start a chess club, how to organize and manage a chess club, and special events that chess promoters can use to attract new players.