PS
I just found a great looking cardboard chess set that one can make without too much trouble. It folds completely flat so its great for travel!
cardboard chess {in black & white} « plenty of colour
http://plentyofcolour.com/2011/04/19/cardboard-chess-in-black-white/
The two best free chess downloads are Lucas Chess and SCID. Lucas Chess has many good features including an analysis feature that is very good. I use this feature every day! In order to improve at chess you need to go over games and for this I use SCID which I find more useful than the high priced databases such as Chessbase for example. I especially like the inclusion of CQL in this database. You can search for games with openings or positions that you like and use the Random Games feature and to play solitaire chess if you like.
You need a good place to play chess for free. Online we have chess.com and FICS. There are also many other chess websites available but these two will get you games right away with a minimum of waiting time. Want to play live chess with real living human beings? If you go to school check out the club in your school. If you already know everything, as I do, and don't go to skool, you can go to your local library. Many public libraries have chess clubs that are free and open to the public. If your local library does not have a chess club, start one yourself! One of my chess friends did just that a few years ago and I go there as much as I can. Nothing beats the fun of playing live chess.
Don''t have a chess set to play with and are too broke to buy one? Google Origami Chess Set and you will find sets that you can make using the ancient Japanese art of paper folding! I am told that prisoners do this. Now you see the low class of people I hang out with!
So next time you're broke and want to have some good fun--Play chess!