I joined Chess.com a year ago, but have only recently decided to seriously undertake study. I have found the video lessons and am working on going through them, and am reading The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess Openings by William Aramil.

Having never played a game in any way on the site (due to my inexperience and doubt that I am fit to play anyone here,) I'm wondering what the best course of action is. I'm hoping more experienced players can direct a complete novice.

I'm currently on day 3 of 7 of free diamond membership (and I'm not even certain at this skill level that membership is worth the expense because so much of the material is over my head) so I have access to all site features.

I should also mention that I live in an isolated area and have no access to clubs or practise groups.

Thanks for your time.

This looks like a good place to start.

Yah, play, play, play some more, and then go and post some pictures in stupid threads, and we'll accept you whatever your flaws.

Have you found the Chess.com study plan for beginners?  Click "read", click "articles", then chess.com help.  Nicely organized, comprehensive, and yet not daunting.  Someone on a previous thread said that learning chess here was a little like trying to get a drink from a firehose.  The study plans address just that issue.

Introducing Chess.com's Study Plans! - Chess.com

  Go to that link first and check out the beginner study videos. From there, play some games, use Tactics Trainer in the "Learn" section up above, and then play some more. Like it's been said, playing is the best way to learn  

   -Mark

I had not located the study guides. Thank you for the help.