Some have pointed out that the principles he put forth are simplistic generalizations, superficial axioms that lead to rote, mechanical play rather than original, creative, and independent thinking. This is more than mere carping, but, I think, less than fair. We crawl before we walk. For that matter Chernev, himself, has written qualifying hints throughout his text. In chess, as in life, rules must often be swept aside.
Moves are good or bad by one standard only their effect on the position at hand.
And they will be much more easily comprehended and absorbed after the student has been guided smartly through the bedrock essentials covered here with a light but sure touch. They go to the wedding for the ceremony only. These puritans, heavy in black, may well have gone beyond Chernev's instructional books, especially our current book, but deny themselves great pleasure in remaining aloof from his gourmand creations. Fun doesn't necessarily mean only clowns and balloons. The joy that Chernev feels and cannot help expressing and sharing is, in the last analysis, the inevitable expansion and blossoming of the soul in the total apprehension of beauty.