Chess notation does take a bit of getting used to. Even after you get used to it for white, it will probably mess you up as black for a while longer. If you don't know the notation already you can visit lots of different places to learn about it. http://www.wikipedia.com/ has a pretty good writeup. Do a search for 'chess notation' and read the section on algebraic. This site mostly uses the standard algebraic notation, but some sections use the long algebraic notation instead.

Chessbase is another critter all unto itself. People who have used it for years quickly forget what it was like when they first started using it. It does have a steep learning curve just for the basics. There are lots of other features I am not sure anyone ever learns because much of the product is not well documented. It is worth the effort though, as there is a lot of content out there in Chessbase format. The 'free' reader that is linked on some of the pages is pretty old. It does work, but if you have the means you are better off just buying a current Chessbase product like Fritz.

I am also a beginner, and it sounds like just a few years ago I was right where you are now. There is a world of difference between casually playing chess and learning chess. The old saying of 'the more you know, the more you know you don't know' is very applicable to chess. As you study it, you quickly realize how little you know. After several years of studying it, you still feel the same way!

After getting into it seriously for about a year I ended up inheriting the local scholastic chess club (the previous coach lost his job and the new job forced him to move out of the area). Almost every new kid goes through the same transformation (assuming they keep coming). Their first visit starts with a lot of posturing about how they have never lost a game and they are the best in their class, etc. Then they lose, brutally, over and over again. It is an eye opener, especially if the kid they lose to is significantly younger than they are. The difference, as you probably have guessed, is the kids who come every week have a foundation in basic chess theory and tactical combinations. The casual player only knows what they picked up on their own. If the kid keeps coming, that gap closes and they aren't such an easy opponent.

In a wierd sort of way I have ended up enjoying the study of chess more than actually playing it. I only play a dozen or so games each month, but I do hundreds of puzzles and have recently started developing an opening repertoire based on the assessment of my play by our local guru.

You probably don't need more resources really. I do know the frustration you are feeling. I have been there! The novice section is far from perfect, but it does have what you need to get going. I remember one of the puzzles had a solution where you were supposed to castle, and nearly all the pieces were off the board, which makes it kind of difficult to know that castling was still an option at that point in the game. But, that notwithstanding, you aren't going to absorb all that material in one sitting. Once you do them all, go back and do them again (reading the narrative describing each section again). You can also look for 'chess tactics' on Wikipedia and get another perspective on the same topics. It is missing some key tactical maneuvers, but it has a good description of the ones it covers. You don't need to be an absolute master of the novice section to move on. Once you fundamentally understand each topic, start the beginner section. Don't be shocked if you find it extremely difficult. I still haven't figured out the real difference between beginner, intermediate, and advanced. I do about the same in all the sections. Just do them, write down where you made mistakes and what you were thinking at the time, then review the answers when you are done. You will get better.

There are a lot of resources for chess on the Internet and for purchase. Unfortunately, for me at least, the bulk of the best content all revolves around opening theory. Most everyone seems to be overly infatuated with this aspect of the game, and market forces seem to provide supply where there is demand. That leaves out good content on other aspects of the game, and that is what is so nice about this site. You will see discussion about openings here, but that isn't all they do. There is lots of other good stuff as well. Your whole chess game can be improved here, once you get over this little 'newbie' bump.

One place you may want to go, that will give you some easier puzzles with much faster time controls is http://chess.emrald.net. I find this a really good site for complementing this one. I get easier tactics that I am expected to find faster, then I can come here and get more difficult tactics that have slower (even infinite) time controls.

Well I was in the exact same position just a few years ago so here are some tips from my experience:

I clearly remember wishing there were some books that didn't use notation and just taught me some chess but there is very little so you'll just have to bite the bullet.

As I learned chess with my kids I found the resources for kids very useful at first as the information was bite sized and easily digestible. Tim Onions, a primary school teacher has written three booklets one for each of: Openings, Middle Game & Endings. "Winning Chess puzzles for Kids" by Jeff Coakley has some good stating out puzzles - mates in one and basic tactics.. this can be read without notation - so long as you don't mind the cartoons (friendly for ages 6 - 12 ish.)

www.chesskids.com covers the basics and is worth looking through. Believe it or not both "Chess Tactics For Kids" and "How to beat Your Dad at Chess" whilst they are very good resources - I found them hard at first even though they are aimed at kids!

Moving on to books aimed at the adult market and starting with a word of caution. Try to think of a chess book as something to study rather than something to read and avoid books that are too advanced. I still have the highly acclaimed "Chess Strategy in Action" by John Watson but last time I looked it was just too hard going for my level - maybe one day!. Think of chess books like language books where you need to do the elementary work first.

Anyway "Discovering Chess Openings" by John Emms is great in explaining the basic principles of the first moves and is written in a very personable and enjoyable way. He seems to have got under the skin of a players first steps and working through this will be a good foundation.

For tactics and checkmates you could try: "Starting Out:Chess Tactics and Checkmates" by Chris Ward. I really like Chris Ward as an author and the Starting Out series are usually very good - and there's lots of titles to chose from. I also recommend Yasser Seirawans book on Tactics as well as his book on Endings - he is another author who stands out for being accessible.

If you do join www.redhotpawn.co.uk (which I also recommend) then you could PM me (on RHP) and we can have a game - to send a personal message click: Find Player < Mahout < send message.

The chess tactics server www.chessemrald.net will be a good warm up for the puzzles here... I much prefer the puzzles on this site (and it's why I subscribe) because they are from real games and the games are referenced...meaning you could look them up and study the whole game. You also get a sense that they have been well chosen for the ideas they illustrate. But unless you're a wizz...they will be very tough at first...well they are for me anyway!

Some lessons with a chess coach will be good and you could see about joining a local chess club...all listed on the English Chess Federation website... a good chess club will get you into competitive play over the board. This competitive play is for me the heart of chess and what all the study is for.

Finally, once you reckon you're out of the starting blocks and can notate and use chessbase etc. then the online coaching here is brilliant - it made a huge difference to me and I'd recommend it to anyone. Stick with it and good luck!