Introduction
Chess is a popular and timeless game that has been played for centuries. It requires strategic thinking and planning, and is enjoyed by people of all ages. In order to play chess, one must first understand how to set up the chess board correctly. In this guide, we will cover the proper way to set up a chess board to get you started on your chess journey.
Materials Needed
The items needed to set up a chess board are fairly simple and can be easily found in a chess set or purchased separately. Here is a list of materials you will need:
- A chess board
- Chess pieces (16 white and 16 black)
- A flat surface to play on
Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Set up the board
The chess board should be placed between the two players in such a way that each player has a white square in the bottom right corner.
The board should be positioned in a way that it is parallel to the players, with the queen on each playerâs right-hand side. The white queen should be on a white square, and the black queen on a black square.
Step 2: Place the pawns
On the second row (or rank) of the board, place all 8 of your pawns. These are the smallest pieces in the game and are represented by small, round discs with a pointed tip on one side. Each player should place their pawns on the squares in front of them, filling up the entire row.
Starting from the left side, the order of the pawns should be rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, rook. In other words, your queen should be on the fourth square from the left and your king on the fifth square from the left.
Step 3: Place the major pieces
Now itâs time to place the major pieces on the first row of the board. These pieces are the most powerful and important in the game. They are the rooks, knights, bishops, queen, and king.
Each player should have their rooks on the corners of the board, followed by their knights on the squares next to the rooks, and then the bishops next to the knights. The queen and king should be placed on the remaining two squares in the middle, with the queen on the square that matches her color (white queen on a white square and black queen on a black square).
Step 4: The bishops and their colors
It is important to note that the bishops should be placed on squares of the same color as their starting positions. This is because each bishop can only move diagonally on that particular color square. For example, the white bishop on the left side (from the player´s perspective) should be on a light square, while the black bishop on the left should be on a dark square.
Step 5: Get ready to play!
Once the board is fully set up, players can begin to play. The white player always moves first, and players take turns making their moves until one player is able to put their opponentâs king in a position that cannot be escaped, known as âcheckmateâ.
Tips for Setting up the Board
Here are some additional tips to keep in mind when setting up your chess board:
- Always check that the board is properly aligned, with the white square on your right-hand side.
- Make sure all pieces are centered on their square and that there is no overlap with other pieces.
- Do not touch or move any pieces until it is your turn to play.
- Before starting a game, make sure both players agree on the placement of the pieces.
In Conclusion
Setting up a chess board correctly is an essential first step in playing the game. With this guide, you should now have a better understanding of the right way to set up a chess board for a proper game. Remember to always double-check before starting a game to ensure that the board is set up correctly, and enjoy your game of chess!
