If there were only 1 chess book you could reccomend what would it be ?

My personal favourite is "Best Lessons of a Chess Coach" by Sunil Weeramantry (I think that he's one of Nakamura's trainers).

What rating would this book be appropriate for?  I like Tal, just worried the book might be too advanced.  I've not seen a preview, so it's hard to tell...

I think you should probably be a B-player.

I don't think you need a specific chess rating to enjoy Tal's book. If you have a high school reading ability, you should enjoy his stories. One of the greatest aspects of Life and Games is that Tal makes you want to study his games! His book is inspirational, not just educational.

Mikhail Tal's love of the game is infectious, which is why it's a perennial candidate for best chess book ever written. His audience was every chess lover, not players above a certain rating.

step-father and his trainer.

I'd point to Reti's Masters of the Chessboard, which gives an intelligent and broad perspective on chess. Was a real eye-opener for me.

Thank you for all responses...I'm certain its beneficial to all rating levels...

Nice to know hard work pays off!!!

I'm looking forward to reading this book!  It will be in my hands in about 1 week.  What can I expect to learn?

"Chess training for Budding Champions" by Jesper Hall. A complete guide on practical training to become a master.

I strongly recommend this book as this has almost all of what you should have learn. The book encompasses the:

Pawn-Structure, Mental Training, how to use the computer, how to analyze the games, how to play positional and basic positions and guidelines.

That sounds like a great book nyLsel, I will certainly check it out.

you can expect to learn about outposts, weak color complex, developing pieces, clearance sacrifices, taking advantage of lead in development, How to use 3 minor pieces to fight a queen, pawn chains, attack/defensive tactics, and a legit way to draw.

Sunil is an 1. e4 player (from what I see from his book), and he likes King's bishop fianchetto (or the "Indian style") when hes playing black.

Thanks^

The Complete Chess Course by Fred Reinfeld

That's an old book, but I cut my teeth on it decades ago.  I'm going back through it right now, trying to get back into the swing.  His game examples lack the source, and some are perhaps "created" for the purposes of illustration, but as a one book solution, I think it's a worthy candidate.

Have been making steady improvements in my chess...thanks to all!!!

Bobby Fischer's 60 memorable games.

thank you

Hello again,

Its been a couple years now since this post and I have steadily progressed in chess. I have found that  " The Life and games of Mikhail Tal" assisted me in this adventure.  I appreciate everyones input.