Probably read this a billion times...

Hi guys, 

I played chess in the past and i know the basic rules. I never had some proper learning of the techniques, just a few after school lessons. I'm just wondering what would be the best way to grasp key concepts within the game?

- Play against the computer?

-read a book? any recommendation?

Thanks alot, 

I personally lke chess mentor as it teaches you about all the concepts.

1) Read a beginner's chess book like The Complete Idiot's Guide to Chess by Patric Wolff, or a Primer of Chess by Jose Raul Capablanca. Other good beginner books are: Logical Chess: Move by Move and Winning Chess: How to See Three Moves Ahead, both by Irving Chernev. Also Chess Fundamentals by Capablanca. The Capablanca books are easy to find free online.

2) Play at slow time controls against humans or computers slightly better than you.

3) Keep asking for advice in the forums or from you opponents.

4) Have fun with it!