镜片和树脂镜片有什么区别 How to Set Up a Chess Board – Beginner's Guide

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Setting up the chessboard correctly is the first step to playing a proper game. This guide shows the correct board orientation and the standard starting position for all pieces.

Step 1: Place the Board Correctly

Make sure the bottom-right corner square is light for both players. A common phrase to remember is: “Light on the right.”

Quick check: If the bottom-right square is dark, rotate the board 90 degrees. Step 2: Set Up the Pieces

Place pieces on the back rank (rank 1 for White, rank 8 for Black):

Rooks in the corners Knights next to rooks Bishops next to knights Queen on her own color (white queen on white, black queen on black) King on the remaining central square Memory phrase: “Queen on her color.” Step 3: Add the Pawns

Place all eight pawns in a row directly in front of the back-rank pieces: White pawns on rank 2, Black pawns on rank 7.

Step 4: Who Moves First?

By standard chess rules, the player with the White pieces always moves first.

✅ White: Makes the first move of the game. ✅ Black: Makes the second move, responding to White's opening. ✅ Turns: Players alternate turns for the rest of the game. You cannot skip a turn! Step 5: Ranks vs. Files (The Grid)

Chess notation relies on a coordinate system. It is crucial to know the difference between the rows and columns:

⬆️ Files (Columns): The vertical columns running up-and-down. They are lettered a to h. (Shown by the Red arrow) ➡️ Ranks (Rows): The horizontal rows running side-to-side. They are numbered 1 to 8. (Shown by the Blue arrow)

Example: "The e-file" or "The 7th rank."

Red = File (e)  |  Blue = Rank (5)

Common Setup Tips White starts on ranks 1–2; Black starts on ranks 7–8. White queen starts on d1 (white square); Black queen starts on d8 (black square). Back-rank order (White): rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, rook. FAQ Which square does the white queen start on?

The white queen starts on d1 (a white square). A simple rule is: the queen goes on her own color.

What if I set the board up incorrectly?

Restart with the correct orientation. The key phrase is: light on the right.

What are the chess pieces called?

The pieces are called chessmen: king, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawn.

How are the pieces arranged on the first rank?

Left to right for White: rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, rook.

Do the pawns go in front of the main pieces?

Yes. All 8 pawns go directly in front of the back rank pieces: White on rank 2, Black on rank 7.

Does the setup change for tournaments or online games?

No—the standard setup is the same everywhere.

➡️ Next Steps

Next up: the special move that helps your king get safe early—castling.

Continue: An Introduction to the Chessmen → ← Back to Chess Basics Chess for Beginners Index