When you follow a user, you will get an alert when they post new content (such as an article, blog, or new forum topic). These alerts can be viewed on your own home page, in the ‘activity’ section.

Visit your "Following" page (https://www.chess.com/settings/following), and add any username to the form who you wish to follow.

You can also follow a member by clicking the ‘follow’ icon in their profile.

If you wish to un-follow someone, click the same button again:

Whenever you add a friend, you will both be automatically following each other. You can unfollow someone without them being removed as a friend, or follow someone without adding them as a friend!