Mark, I've played xpert11 before and it's a very good game.

Thing being, while it is quite complicated to learn and become a master-tactician, like chess, similarly it's dead easy to just pick up and play the basics.
There's a good rulebook, covering the basic nuances, and you pick up finesse from experience and through the informative and helpful forums.

I had to stop playing it last year, as I was getting so 'into-it' that I was becoming addicted! lol.

If I were you, give it a try. Just don't give up if you don't immediately seem successful... remember chess!