Steve, hold up. Before you start to learn to play chess, I would consider at least looking into Go. If you are unaware, Go is the oldest strategy game in the world. I do not have the time to go into the history of the game at the moment, but when I saw your post on learning chess I had to at least sign up and try to stop you. Go is considered to be a superior game and has an active online community to play 24/7 as well as a many books and resources. If you have no idea what I am talking about, Go was played in the movie "A Beautiful Mind' and "Pi". Google "KGS GO" this will bring up the place I play online and the website should direct you to some links to learn to play, or you can start off at the site for the US Go Association at
Welcome to the American Go Association. shoot me an email if you are interested I would gladly teach you how to play, or direct you to useful books and resources.