How can I improve font appearance in Google chrome?

Chrome is reading your ClearType setting which on Windows XP is switched off by default.

1. To fix the issue, first close the Chrome browser.
2. Now right-click anywhere on the desktop and select 'Properties' from the drop-down menu.
3. Click on the 'Appearance' tab found along the top on the new window.
4. And click on the 'Effects' button.
5. The second option down should read, "Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts."
6. Select the "ClearType" option.
7. Click Apply & Re-open your Chrome browser.

From now on Chrome will render your fonts nicely anti-aliased for that smooth effect.