Why play chess on the Internet?

No one with a computer and an Internet connection can have failed to observe that the World Wide Web has developed into a vast source of information, content and resource - anything you care to look for, you'll find it on the Web. One of the main drivers for software and technology advance has always been to improve the fun we can have (in small breaks from our more serious endeavours of course!) and the fun I have been having lately is with Internet chess.
I played chess as a kid and on and off over the years I've always had a flickering interest in the game - playing the occasional game with friends, trying newspaper puzzles etc but I've never been motivated enough to join a club or play regularly.
I searched for Internet chess games sites sometime ago but was a little wary of joining in and exposing my scant knowledge / prowess for the game. I eventually took the plunge and explored an on-line chess site - and I'm really glad that I did. The site I looked at is aimed at a 'correspondence' style of chess - this is where you can make a move on the board without your opponent being present and he or she responds within a given time limit - again, without you being necessarily online at the same time.
There are other sites which allow you to play real-time against an opponent and many chess applications allowing you to play against a computer.
Why do I like Internet chess? Well, it's really convenient - I log in and play when I want to - when it's convenient to me. On-line, I get to meet people from all over the world and I've had some great games and great conversation. There's a huge number of players out there and that means there are even some I can beat! It will be the same for you - you can always find a game at the standard that you are currently at.
Internet chess is also a great way to improve - by playing different people, reading the helpful advice posted by others, using the on-line chess resources etc.
Where to start? Use your favourite search engine and explore! Here are a couple of links to start you off:
www.letsplaychess.com - this is the site I joined. Aimed at Correspondence style chess
http://www.chessclub.com/ - you can play 'real-time' chess on this site.
So, if I've tweaked your interest a little go on and try Internet Chess - and maybe we'll meet over a 'chess board' one day.