I am a bit amazed, nay dismayed, at the number of opening books I’m seeing.
I think it was Teichmann who said you only need to read one good chess book.
Tarrasch’s Best Games by Reinfeld (and Tarrasch).
Let it be this one. It will help you get from being a floundering
beginner to a very strong club player.
200 Miniatures by Du Mont.
For learning in the most charming and instructive way how to punish
and avoid opening blunders (no matter how small).
You see every tactical trick in action and are treated to
some beautiful and amazing games.
Most Instructive Games of Chess Chernev.
It was Game 19 that did it.
When I first played that out I just wanted
to do things like this on the chessboard.
Here it is including the finish that Chernev points out.
(Black resigned on move 34).
A.Kupferstich - J. Andresasen, Denmark 1953.
1.e4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bc4 Nxe4 4.Qh5 Nd6 5.Bb3 Nc6 6.Nb5 g6 7.Qf3 Nf5 8.Qd5 Nh6 9.d4 d6 10.Bxh6 Be6 11.Qf3 Bxb3 12.Bxf8 Ba4 13.Bg7 Rg8 14.Bf6 Qd7 15.Na3 Nxd4 16.Qh3 Qxh3 17.Nxh3 Nxc2+ 18.Nxc2 Bxc2 19.Rc1 Be4 20.Ng5 Bxg2 21.Rxc7 Bxh1 22.Nxf7 Bd5 23.Nxd6+ Kf8 24.Bg5 Rh8 25.Bh6+ Kg8 26.Rg7+ Kf8 27.Rc7+ Kg8 28.Nc8 Bf3 29.Rg7+ Kf8 30.Rxb7+ Kg8 31.Rg7+ Kf8 32.Rxa7+ Kg8 33.Rxa8 Bxa8 34.Nd6 Bd5 35.Kd2 Bxa2 36.Kc3 Be6 37.Kb4 Ba2 38.Kc5 Be6 39.Kb6 Ba2 40.Kc7 Be6 41.Kd8 Ba2 42.Ke7 Bd5 43.Ne8 Ba2 44.Nf6
Finally:
500 Master games by Tartakower & Du Mont.
The cream of Master Chess by some of the games greatest players.
The notes amuse you, the games inspire you.
Sentimental choice.
Chess Traps and Stratagems by The Rev. Cunnington.
My first chess book.