A couple of books with related titles by Andrew Soltis...
"What It Takes to Become a Chess Master"...
https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Become-Chess-Master-Batsford/dp/1849940266/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483574488&sr=1-4&keywords=andrew+soltis
"What It Takes to Become a Grandmaster"...
https://www.amazon.com/Takes-Become-Grandmaster-Andrew-Soltis/dp/1849943397/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483574378&sr=1-3&keywords=andrew+soltis
Also, an award winning book by Mihail Marin....
"Learn From The Legends"...
https://www.amazon.com/Learn-Legends-Chess-Champions-their/dp/1784830046/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483576736&sr=1-1&keywords=mihail+marin
Any number of books by John Nunn would be suitable for someone at your level...for example the following which examines the games of Emanuel Lasker as object lessons....
"John Nunn's Chess Course"...
https://www.amazon.com/John-Nunns-Chess-Course-Nunn/dp/1906454825/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483577083&sr=1-2&keywords=john+nunn+chess
And a book I believe every aspiring chess Master should read....
"Pawn Power In Chess" by Hans Kmoch...
https://www.amazon.com/Pawn-Power-Chess-Dover/dp/0486264866/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1483316663&sr=1-1&keywords=pawn+power+in+chess+by+hans+kmoch
I consider Kmoch's book to be one of the masterpieces of the chess literature, a book which every chess player who seriously wishes to improve would be well served to work through it (regardless of the descriptive chess notation, or the (in my opinion, apt) terminology, or how long it may take)...
Finally, you might want to check out this article about the books of the legendary Russian chess trainer...Mark Dvoretsky...(who, sadly, recently left us too soon)....
https://chessbookreviews.wordpress.com/2016/11/
Possibly of interest:
https://www.chess.com/article/view/can-anyone-be-an-im-or-gm
What It Takes to Become a Chess Master by Andrew Soltis
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708093409/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review857.pdf
100 Chess Master Trade Secrets by Andrew Soltis
https://web.archive.org/web/20140708094523/http://www.chesscafe.com/text/review916.pdf
Reaching the Top?! by Peter Kurzdorfer
http://www.thechessmind.net/blog/2015/11/16/book-notice-kurzdorfers-reaching-the-top.html
http://www.jeremysilman.com/shop/pc/Reaching-the-Top-77p3905.htm
If you read it as a beginner, you'll lean some things. Read it as a 1600 player, and you'll learn DIFFERENT things. Read it again as a 2000+ player, and again you'll find new ideas in it.
dannyhume -
Hans Kmoch's "Pawn Power In Chess" is not targeted to the beginner-novice audience. More like intermediate player and above. Having said that, since it is not an expensive book, you could get it and see what you think, i.e., start reading chapter 1 to gain a perspective. Note that Chapters 1 & 2 are devoted to defining the terms used throughout the book.
As you are probably aware, it is written in "descriptive" notation, so you should should be open to that. Also there are those who complain about the terminology Kmoch invented to describe structures and concepts. For example, lever, ram, duo, quart, twin and many others.
These terms are not generally found in the chess literature. That's ok. Working with the book, you will come to appreciate that the terminology employed is appropriate and descriptive of the item or concept being discussed, and is a simply a succint and efficient way of decribing it. So when he talks about a "tight duo ram" for example, you know exactly what is being refering to - there is no guesswork.
My response to those who have issues with the terminology is, as chess players, you have learned many new concepts and terms in order to be able to read and communicate about the game. Just consider this to be a part of the process of growing your chess vocabulary. Consider the value of Kmoch's terminology as enhancing communications and improving the process of learning and understanding the game.
Finally, for some, the value of the book and its lessons may not be immediately obvious. That is probably because the concepts presented are predominatly related to positional play and strategy. That is, the concepts are relatively "advanced". So the more "advanced" you become as a chess player, the more you are likely to appreciate the lessons in the book. I think that every chess player, who is serious about wanting to play chess at a high level in the long run, would do themselves a huge favor by spending time with this book.
Hi, I am trying to get to master and my current otb rating is around 2130...I have been rated 2150 before...somehow I still can not seem to get to master. What are the best books for making the leap to master?