[qsort]

Various TUI modes were implemented in the ICS protocol for online chess.

  telnet freechess.org 5000

still works.

[FergusArgyll]

This is the coolest thing ever! it's a bit hard to play because black/white is not so easy to distinguish but you probably get used to it. (I lost cause I mixed up my knight with my opponents)

[phone[phone]]

You can use many compatible graphical interfaces.

I remember using WinBoard (in Windows) or XBoard (in Linux) around 1998 or 1999 with to play chess on FICS after the novelty of the telnet experience wore off.