Foundations
The board
Squares, ranks, files, and the starting position
The idea
The board is an 8×8 grid of alternating light and dark squares. Files run vertically (labeled a–h, left to right from White's view). Ranks run horizontally (labeled 1–8, from White's side to Black's). Every square has a coordinate: e4, g7, a1. White moves first, then players alternate. The light square goes on the bottom right corner — "light on right" — every single time.
Example 1 of 2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Starting position. White at bottom, Black at top. The queen always starts on its own color — White queen on d1 (light), Black queen on d8 (dark).
Example 2 of 2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
After 1. e4 — White's king-pawn advances two squares.
3
Try it
Your move
Make the most popular opening move in chess: push your king's pawn two squares forward.
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h