by tmredden
Interesting. I find downloading the practically limitless PGN files available online to be far more useful than books for that purpose. The more games a book has, the less useful commentary usually accompanies the text.I have so many favorites it would really be hard to pick a single one. Probably the most important for me is CHESS THE EASY WAY by Reuben Fine back in print by ISHI Press. It's less useful now as I long ago absorbed its content and no longer need to refer to it.
I'll cut to the chase, as I could go on endlessly about many books I've loved over the years. My favorite chess book is 40 LESSONS FOR THE CLUB PLAYER by Alexander Kostyev. It was a single source tool I used to raise my playing level quickly when I attended chess club a lot back in my 30s (starting with no rating I achieved an FIDE rating in the 1700 range, and know this book and its application had a lot to do with my progress). The book covers all aspects of what chess players should do, and with good examples.
Okay, I couldn't stop there. I also praise HOW TO REASSESS YOUR CHESS (I read the 3rd edition, but intend to read the newly rewritten 4th edition now also) by Jeremy Silman. It is, however, a more subjective attempt to base move choices on board position, and how to know what needs to be done at any given moment throughout the game.
Lastly (though there are many books about the subject matter) another "favorite" is CHESS ENDINGS: ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE by Yuri Averbakh. Many masters say the best way to improve play is to learn the power of each piece, and the best way to do that is to study the game when fewer pieces are left on the board. This book provides just what everyone needs to accomplish that goal.
Anyone who is thinking they want to improve their ability at chess would do well by reading and working through these four books.