An OK substitute for my out of print choice above. If you are able to find the "Encyclopedia of Chess Middlegames" then this is the next study everywhere combo book. The first half will take a few days but is a good review of basic mating positions. The 3 star problems are good for A players, the 4 star problems for experts.

From the author of "Think Like A Grandmaster". This is a fine collection of tactical chess positions (not 3 movers) that make you think though different options while calculating your next move. Think strategically about the position while your opponent is on the clock. Think tactics when you are on the clock.

Very very rare, sorry. Each page is a chess lesson from a strong master and will take most players 30 minutes to an hour just thinking though ideas. Do not cheat this book. Work the positions in your head until you have strong ideas about the position. This book does not always have a +- or a # at the end of the line so it is a nice change up from the combo books listed above.

Same idea as "The Best Move" but not as strong. It is important to see and work though complicated positions that do not have a forced checkmate at the end of the line. You should look at the problems and try to see the solutions in your head not on a board.

There is a difference between a combination and a sacrifice. A combination can be calculated to a clear win of material or checkmate. A sacrifice will give you many things like tempos and open lines of attack, but true sacrifices are never clear.

Introduction to the hypermodern school of chess. Classic book that is a must read. I think it is the best book to read before taking on Nimzowitsch.

The root idea of Nimzowitch's chess theory. Short book but with an important idea that you must understand.

Keene's book "Aron Nimzowitsch: A Reappraisal" gives you the man, "My System" and "Blockade" explain Nimzowitsch's theories, and this tournament book shows you Nimzowitsch's games with his own thoughts. Unlike other chess players, Nimzowitch is very open about his ideas.

You do not need to memorize all that much to be a Master, but you do need to become familiar with many chess patterns and ideas. Things like pawn structure, week squares, mating themes often point the way to winning combinations or won end games. To develop your pattern recognition it helps to see and work through positions with the same pawn structures and the same tactical ideas many times.

A very underestimated book from one of the top players of all time. Lasker goes through much of the basic chess patterns, how to study chess and some philosophy on chess and life. His exercise on visualization of the chessboard should be done every night before you go to sleep. Skip the philosophy if you want but the rest is gold.

Classic book that everyone reads. I had trouble with it because I like open games... this book has master level games with classic positions and plans. Unlike class players, Masters do not drop material or make basic mistakes very often. You win against other Masters because you know more than they do about the position on the board or see something very deep.

A surprisingly good book. Lots of positions with comments from Fischers opponents and others. Just like Nimzowitch, I think it is important to study a few players in detail. I still think Fischer was the best to ever play the game.

One of the best match books of all time. Set up a board and play though the games as if it was your move. Only after you have decided on your move should you look at what was played.

The Mozart of chess. Going over his games brings me great joy. If you are not enjoying chess why are you studying it? ChessBase has a very nice DVD on Morphy too, but I like the book better. Why? Because I go over the games in my head. Remember Lasker's visualization exercises? By the time you are a high Expert you should be able to play one game at a time without the board.

Required endgame knowledge. You may already know the ideas in this book, but like "The Art of Checkmate" above, make really sure you fully understand everything in this book. Even if you only learn one or two new ideas it is worth the investment.

Volume #2 Work on this book last... but you should be looking at these books after your games to find the best ideas. This is better than fritz because of the excellent explanations of plans and patterns.

Volume #4 I don't know why this book is 4th... but you should work though it first!

Best of the modern books on the endgame. The ChessBase DVD is excellent too. I give this book only because the Averbakh books are out of print. There is nothing in this book that Averbakh does not cover in much more detail.

Volume #2 Umm... yawn... but you have to be able to look this stuff up and this is a great text book. If you are going to buy from Amazon please contact the seller first. Some sell all three together, some don't. Some are hard cover and some are soft cover. I have seen used book stores sell the soft cover boxed set between $35 to $50.

Estrin wrote the "Comprehensive Chess Openings" books with solid and safe play in mind. Yudovich gives many gambit lines to add to the above books. This book is small but written in the same spirit as the above opening books. If you want to get better you need to play gambits from time to time.