If only 1 book?

If you could only recommend 1 book to someone to learn and study from, what would it be? And the goal was to get as highly rated as possible.

Assume the person already knows the basics, but that's it.

Interested to see these responses!

If allowed no other learning tools (e.g. tactics training on a computer) then a tactics book.

Otherwise it greatly depends on the initial level of the player. Great books such as Dvoretsky's are not of much use to a 1400.

Anthology Of Chess Combinations and play lots of games.

You can read on how to swim from a book or online but it would be totally useless until you are thrown in the water and put that knowledge to practice.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/general/what-are-the-most-interesting-chess-books-in-your-library

For other suggestions.

If you are able to learn by example, I would say "The Games of Bobby Fischer," by Wade and O'Connell

Nimzovich: My System

At your level there is no doubt in my mind:
Read all of Dan Heismans novice nooks, actually its several small articles but together probably a book in itself in most ways. (google it, all readily available online) 

There are quite a few good ones, but I'd suggest Chess Fundamentals by Capablanca or other books with sections on both instructional topics and annotated games.

Sadly many posters ignore the "Please be relevant, helpful, & nice."

The two chess books that grandmasters usually hold in the highest esteem are Nimzowitsch's My System and Bronstein's Zurich International Chess Tournament 1953. I would also include Dvoretsky's Endgame Manual and Lipnitsky's Questions of Modern Chess Theory in that elite group.

The Kama Sutra

Actually you wouldn't find everything abt chess in one book. As topic is vast. You need 2 buy different books in order 2 learn variety of ideas. ..like tactics, strategies, positional play & opening systems n so on.

1. Chess Fundamentals. ..from Capablanca.

2. My system. ..from Nimzowitsch.

Dan Heisman's articles and books are very recomendable. 

Not only is Dan Heismans material targeted for your rating range (1000-1800) it is also highly condensed information from his many years of experience. Sure "My System" is a good book, and the others too, but really they are written for a higher level, and the tournament books are not at all worth your time until you hit 2000 or more

@kaynight...my point only was..."difficult to get everything under single book...like supermarket"

Okay. ..u too...:)

I would recommend Lev Alburt's Chess for the Gifted and Busy: A Short But Comprehensive Course From Beginner to Expert. It is supposed to take a reader from beginner level to expert level (a rating equivalent to 2000 U.S.C.F.).

Laslo Polgar`s giant chess book about over 5000 positions.