I sincerely doubt if the vast majority of us would be a chess champ no matter how many times we were able to read and re-read only one chess book (or even dozens) Of course I have no idea what your idea of a chess champ is - local club champ? FM? NM? IM? GM?
So, I'd go for a big game collection, maybe "The Complete Games of Bobby Fischer" Or a current Informant since studying GM games would provide lessons in strategy, as well as in tactics, openings, middle and endgames.
If you were marooned on a desert island and could only bring one chess book with you to study strategy, so when you are finally rescued you'd be a chess champ, which book would it be? And why?