Hey Everone,  I'm new to the chess arena, and I am wondering what are some good strategy books.  I know the basics of chess, but I want to take my game to a higher level.

Gwadnnek,

I will tell you as long as you do not use it to beat me....

jk

Attacking the King by J. N. Walker is a book that I just finished. It goes over some solid solid basics of how to win. Get it; read it; you'll like it. 

I think Tactics is the key area to work on for improvement.

On a similar note, I'm looking for a book for a six year old who has just started playing chess.  Any recommendations?  He'll read it with his dad, and I'd like something fairly simple to help build his confidence.  Thanks.

 What is the best book on tactics?

There are tons of good books on tactics. There is also web based resources such as Tactics Trainer and the Chess Tactics Server.

I tend to like software better for tactics training but I am very pleased with my books on tactics:

http://www.librarything.com/catalog/farbror&tag=Tactics

I would recommend Ward Farnsworth's Predator at the Chessboard. You can access it online at www.chesstactics.org. The book clearly explains and walks you through countless tactical positions.

I am also a beginner. My play has improved vastly. When you are first starting to study chess it is most important to study tactics.

A strategy book that holds a close place in my heart is "Judgement & Planning in Chess by Euwe.

I remember acquiring the book when I was a 1200 rated junior high student, and I credit the book, with periodic play - and yes, improvement in tactics, with an increase in my rating about 300-400 points.

The chapters include: queenside majority, minority attack, knight against bad bishop, weakening the king's side, attack on king's field, weak pawns (including IQP), strong squares, open files, followed by illustrative games.

My original edition is in descriptive notation, and those used copies can be found fairly easily, but an algebraic edition was found only after great effort.

The need to practice tactics is ALWAYS important, but I don't think strategy should be overlooked. On Amazon.com you can look at the first few pages and see an incredible example of a position where most people would have no idea what plan to choose, but Silman guides us on our first steps of thinking things out...