I am not new to chess. I am unrated, but play against my computer at between 1800 and 2000. I have been playing since I was 11, and now I'm 23. I have never competed, and never studied the game, I have only played against friends and family (and my computer).  I recently decided I wanted to get better, since I have never really studied the game.  I would like some recommendations for books that will improve my game, teach me theory (I have never studied it at all), perhaps openings (though I have gotten mixed opinions about whether this is useful), endame tactics, etc.  I also would like recommendations for books with instructive games in them that analyze the games well.  Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thanks

The Middle Game parts 1+2 by Euwe

Chessmaster's training course on endgames by Josh Waitzskin(last name is probably spelled incorrectly)

I would recommend reading ONE of the following:

"The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess", by Patrick Wolff

"Chess for Dummies", by James Eade

"Play Winning Chess", by Yasser Seirawan and Jeremy Silman

"Guide to Good Chess", by Cecil Purdy

After that, I would recommend that you read "Logical Chess:  Move by Move" by Irving Chernev.  It will teach you how to "think chess."

It's also good to study tactics puzzles.  One of the better one's is "303 Tricky Chess Tactics" by Bruce Albertson and Fred Wilson.

For tactical study, I would recommend Ward Farnsworth's Predator at the Chessboard, which is available online at www.chesstactics.org.