Book sugestions

I'm learning the game. I was taught the rules as a kid but that's about it. Anyhoo since Xmas is near, I was wondering what book would be good to buy, I'm thinking something that concentated on one particular opening?

If you want to learn openings I suggest a book I am currently reading: Chess Opening Essentials, Volume 1: The Complete 1.e4

Seirawin's Winning Chess Series is a really nice way to get back into chess. I'd recommend Winning Chess Tactics and Winning Chess Strategies.

Thanks guys I'll look up both books.

Complete 1. e4 is excellent but I use it as an encyklopedia only! "Guide to Good Chess" (if you can find it?) or almost anything else by Purdy.

Maybe a few books on Tactics? There are a ton of excellent books. "Chess Exam" by K...(?) is a fun book.

Tactics might be a good idea as I'm very rusty and only ever played against casual players. I suppose what I need is something that will allow me to progress from a casual player to someone who knows what they are doing and more importantly, why I'm doing it

Tactics is everything for non-masters. Noo need to study openings since non-masters tend to slip out of theory pretty early and then you need Tactics to figure out how to punish them.

Endgames are really importand and they help to learn to use the pieces efficiently.

I've been playing in a tournament and no suprise that I'm getting killed. But in the one or two games I felt I was going to win I've lost in the end game. I think a book on tactics is the way I'm going to go.

Personally after studying chess for a couple months, I think best tournament results would be achieved through intense tactical study, as mentioned, and familiarity with endgame concepts (you can pull of a pin to win the exchange but if you can't use that to your advantage to finish off the game, you're just asking for people to exchange to simplifications against you and take advantage of a lack of endgame ability). I'm actually moving on to endgames myself since I've managed to pull out tactical motifs in OTB chess but as soon as the endgame arrives I feel my lack of knowledge and theory really limits my ability. Silman's endgame book has gotten great reviews from everyone I've asked, I'd encourage you to try it as well. And about opening books, don't bother learning a bunch of openings and trying to memorize long chains of variations and such, a simple familiarity with development and general opening ideas like controlling the center should suffice.

Rather than a book you could ask for a premium membership to this site.  It's got lots of instructive interactive materials.

Silmans book looks great! I have only glanced over a few pages but I like what I see....

I second that, and I have at least 20 books on chess.  The Tactics Trainer is great.

 I'll give it another go, but I had two problems. One the pieces moving to the top left. Another was that even after clicking the link to tell me what to play it still told me I was wrong.

 I find this site doesn't work particularly well. Often I can't move or pieces jump to the top left corner when I try to move. I've tried various browsers. This puts me off from paying. ALthough paying might help since I've noticed my inability to move is related to certain ads being shown

hmmmm... Do you use Mozilla Firefox?  I do and have never had the problems you describe.  I know it is the browser recommended by this site for live chess.  Good luck.  

P.S.   If you go with a paper book, try Killer Chess Tactics.

I MUST input my 2 cents. As you know I have STRONG opposition to learning chess from mere books. It's kind of like learning golf by reading how to do it. The SINGLE best way to learn chess is to play it against someone or something STRONGER than you are and that is a chess program.

Studies have shown that people get bored with books so much quicker than with a program that it cant even be measured. HANDS ON is the way to go. If you gave one newcomer ALL the chess books in existence and one newcomer the latest Chessmaster program, gave them a day, a month, a year, it doesn't matter, the one who learned using CM would never lose a game to the book learner. FACT.

Don't waste your time and money on a one dimensional book when a few dollars (or pounds) will get you EVERYTHING you'll ever need to know.

Anyone telling you that chessbooks won't help needs a "HUG" with kisses included.

Personally, i wouldnt suggest you buy opening books as of the moment.Buy if you can, buy biographical books (My 60 memorable games: FIscher, My best games of CHess:Alekhine or any book dedicated to a single player of the past or even present) where the players themselves analyze their games. This way you will find moves how certain players get the feel for the board. You will find tby playing through their games how they went on with their plans and what strategies they take in each opponent they face (Psychology,preparations etc. etc.)"Learning the game" as you've said includes the basicsa forks, pins,discoveries en-passant, passed pawns, combinations (you will learn how theises things are implemeted by certain players which you can apply yourself.

You can take on the computer if you have learned the basics and try what you've learned but there is no psychological strain there on the computer's part.PLaying different opponents will take you to paths were you will understand that each player is different. There are some who plays to attack some to defend and some for positional avdantage.Study the masters games and apply what you've learned form their play in your games.Then analyze you games.This is only my suggestion since you learning.

Lastly, take this form GM Svetozar Gligoric , who believes that masters of the past plays deeper than present day masters althought the present one plays better because of the computers.It's your choice brother.

study the endgame first. almost ten years ago, our soviet-trained coach and the  other masters first taught us the endgame. i recommend chess fundamentals by capablanca. then the middlegame,involving tactics, strategy and pawn structure. i recommend " the middlegame by max euwe. a classic, one of the best i read. then after learning those. ask yourself what style you like or suits you. its important for choosing an opening. if you like tactics and e4, study the games of tal. he has an excellent book. full of fireworks. or study the book of fischer.