I think so!
playing with friends
i think there is a valid point of what do you want from the game? if its to slaughter your opponent in a brilliant victory, then the question answers itself, but if you want to share with your friend something you enjoy and perhaps help to build him/her into a competent player well then the question answers itself- but it is an interesting arguement.
I've introduced a few friends to chess.com. For me, it's about the social interaction. Some continue to struggle with their game, but continue to play....that is a victory in itself.

When you play with a friend who is not a chess player for the first time, do you find that explaining the game is tedious and ultimately no fun? Being an experienced player, the odds of a first time player winning the game are very slim, so should you bother playing at all and just play with other players that are exerienced?