Nobody can learn to play chess without playing chess games. However, many beginners have to overcome a barrier to get started because they are intimidated by the more experienced players making up the vast majority pretty much everywhere where chess is played: the local chess club, servers on the internet, and even their own computer is semingly unbeatable when it comes to chess. So what is a good way for beginners to start playing? Originally an email answering a question submitted by a blog reader, this article gives a short introduction into starting to play chess online and against computers.