How to Properly Set Up a Chessboard: Step-By-Step Guide
Chess is a classic and challenging game that requires strategy, critical thinking, and focus. Before you can start playing, you need to learn how to set up the chessboard correctly. In this guide, we will break down the process into simple and easy-to-follow steps. So, whether you are a beginner or just need a refresher, let´s get started!
Section 1: Gathering the Supplies
The first step to setting up a chessboard is to gather all the necessary supplies. You will need a chessboard, 32 chess pieces (16 white and 16 black), and a flat surface to play on. Make sure your chessboard is clean and free of any dust or debris before starting.
It is also essential to familiarize yourself with the chess pieces and their movements. Each player has 16 pieces, including a king, queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. The movements of each piece are unique and are crucial in the game of chess.
Section 2: Placing the Board
The next step is to place the board correctly. The chessboard should be positioned so that the bottom-right square is a light-colored square. This is also known as the “white corner.” The board should be placed between the two players, with a clear line of sight for both.
Make sure that the corners of the board are aligned with the players´ left and right hand. This will ensure that the board is centered and equally accessible to both players.
Section 3: Placing the Pawns
Now, let´s move on to placing the pawns. Pawns are the smallest and most numerous pieces on the chessboard. They are placed on the second row from the player´s side, so if you are playing as white, the pawns will be on the second row from the bottom of the board. The pawns should be placed on the light-colored squares.
Make sure there is one pawn on each square, leaving no gaps between them. Once all eight pawns are in place, the second row should be filled with pawns of alternating colors.
Section 4: Placing the Other Pieces
Now that the pawns are all in place, it´s time to place the other pieces. The rooks, knights, and bishops are placed on the first row, also known as the back row. The rooks are the taller pieces with a flat top, the knights are the ones that look like horses, and the bishops are the pieces with a pointed top.
The rooks are placed on the corner squares, next to the queen and king of the same color. The knights are placed next to the rooks, and the bishops are placed next to the knights. Once all the pieces are in place, the first row should be symmetrical.
Section 5: Placing the Royals
The final step is to place the two most important pieces on the chessboard, the king and queen. The queen is always placed on the square that matches her color, so the white queen is placed on the light-colored square, and the black queen is placed on the dark-colored square.
The king is placed on the remaining square of the same color as the queen. Make sure that the two royal pieces are not placed directly next to each other, as this would make them too vulnerable to checkmate.
Congratulations, you have successfully set up your chessboard! Remember, the white pieces always go first, so the white player gets to make the first move. Now that you know how to set up a chessboard correctly, it´s time to start playing and mastering the game of chess!