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If you could only have 5 chess books what would they be? Here are mine:
1. Modern Chess Openings
This is a must and it is a good idea to keep earlier editions as the info is different.
2. Art of Attack In Chess - Vladimir Vukovic.
A classic. Just re-reading a chapter in this book is enough to hone my attacking creativity every time.
3. Reassess Your Chess - Jeremy Silman
Still probably the best book for improving to intermediate level.
4. Test Your Chess IQ First Challenge - August Livshitz
This is a set of chess positions by theme arranged in challenge format. The great thing is they are real life games and the instruction is in solving them. Do not underestimate this book. If you can find it buy it.
5. Sharpen Your Tactics! - Hays
Chess puzzles by theme. One good feature is the difficulty level is displayed. This book is worth its weight in gold to sharpen your tactics. the best one out there. BUY IT.
Honourable Mention: Practical Chess Endings - Irving Chernev. I may be bias as this was my first ending book. Not the most comprehensive one out there but a good one for lower level players seeking to establish an end game knowledge. Chernev has a passionate writing style that I like.
WORST BOOK EVER: Jeremy Silman's The Amatuer's Mind. What a complete waste of money. It is all about telling you why amateur's make bad moves. Well as an ameteur player why do I need to be told that? If you have to buy another book by Silman after his Reassess Your Chess book then get the Reassess Your Chess Workbook. Don't waste your hard earned cash on this dud - its terrible!!
 
Well There you have it! Let's hear yours!
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I agree with the Both the Silman comments. Disagree with MCO, things just change too much and it doesn't contain the ideas behind lines.
I enjoyed the English translation of Tarraschs book The Modern Game, but couldn't handle Nimzos My System.
In my top would be Chess Openings for Black Explained. This is THE standard for books on openings in terms of layout and style (sure some lines aren't great but at least you know the ideas behind them rather than just blind woodpushing memorization)
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A few times I've gone to the public library and grabbed a few chess books. The only one that I've benefitted from was Judith Polgar's Chess Tactics for Champions. What I like about it is that you don't need to get out a board, so it can be read slumped over on the couch for example. It sounds like your 4 and 5 are similar. Are there any good books out there that can be used this way that maybe address other areas of chess (e.g. strategy or openings)?
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500 Master Games – Tartakower
100 Selected Games – Botvinnik
Zurich 1953 – Bronstein
Search for Chess Perfection – Purdy
My Best Games – Tartakower
Worst: Test and Improve Your Chess - Alburt
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I think the best book on chess is:
| The Inner Game Of Chess: How to calculate and win. By Andrew Soltis |
From this book I learned:
1) How to play blindfold chess
2) How to make mental variation trees
3) How to "count out" material loss and gain during variations
4) How to trick the mind into examining variations instead of "just moving" (this is an ongoing struggle)
It teaches how to think like a GM in practical terms.
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