Finding other beginners

I am a complete beginner and new to the site.  Can you tell me how to find other complete beginners to play with, so that I am matched with players of equal ability?  Playing really good players is a bit depressing when you are a novice!

Try in the open challenges for someone around your own rating. When you create the open challenge, you can choose the minimum and maximum you want the ratings to be of those who can accept.

Also we have many resources to help you get better at chess:

1) The "Daily Puzzle" where each day you can solve a puzzle and improve your tactical vision.
2) The "Learn" section where you can read instructional chess articles.
3) The "Game Analysis" forum where you can post your games for users to help you review the game.
4) "Online Chess" and "Play the computer" where you can play real games against other members and also the computer program.
5) The "Books & Equipment" shop where you can buy instructional chess material such as books and videos.
6) A "Chess Coaches" section where you can find a professional chess coach who can help.

If you need help with anything or finding anything, please let me know.

Many thanks.

start a new game but set the rating to a maxinum that you're happy with, if you go to your home sceen it should be on the right hand side. That way you won't get your challenge acepted by experienced players as their rating will be too high. I think the only condition in that when creating a challenge you must include your current rating.

I set up a tournament for beginners:

http://www.chess.com/tournament/for-beginners4

Thanks Sci1977 and bfound.  I will explore the site more now so that I can use it more effectively.  I may join the beginners' tournament later when I have played enough games to qualify although playing three games simultaneously sounds a little daunting.