Introduction
Chess is a strategic board game that has been around for centuries. It requires two players, each controlling an army of 16 pieces, to battle for the victory. The game is played on a checkered board with 64 squares, alternating between light and dark colors. To set up a chess board and start playing, there are a few key steps that you need to follow. In this tutorial, we will guide you on how to correctly set up a chess board to play the game of chess.
Materials Needed
Before we dive into the process of setting up a chess board, make sure you have all the necessary materials. These include a chessboard, 32 pieces (16 white and 16 black), and two players. If you do not have a physical chessboard, you can also use online platforms for playing chess.
Step 1: Place the board
The first step to setting up a chess board is to place the board correctly. Make sure that the board has eight squares on each side with alternating dark and light colors. The board should be placed between the two players, with a white square on the bottom right-hand corner. This is the standard position, and it should be maintained throughout the entire game.
Step 2: Place the Rooks
The rooks are the tallest pieces on the chessboard and are marked with a castle symbol. Each player has two rooks that are placed on the corners of their first rank (the first row closest to the player). The rooks are positioned on the outside, next to the players. The white player places their rooks on squares a1 and h1, while the black player places theirs on squares a8 and h8.
Step 3: Place the Knights
Next, the knights are placed on the board. The knights are the only pieces that can jump over other pieces. Like the rooks, each player has two knights that are placed next to the rooks on the first rank. The white player´s knights are placed on squares b1 and g1, while the black player´s knights are placed on squares b8 and g8.
Step 4: Place the Bishops
On the chessboard, there are two bishops per player, marked with an upward-pointing cobra symbol. The bishops are placed next to the knights, on the first rank. The white player´s bishops are placed on squares c1 and f1, while the black player´s bishops are placed on squares c8 and f8.
Step 5: Place the Queen
The queen is the most powerful piece on the board and is marked with a crown symbol. Each player has one queen, and it is placed on the remaining square on the first rank of its respective color. The white queen is placed on square d1, while the black queen is placed on square d8.
Step 6: Place the King
Finally, the king, which is marked with a king symbol, is placed next to the queen on the remaining square of its respective color. The white king is placed on square e1, while the black king is placed on square e8.
Step 7: Place the Pawns
The pawns are the smallest pieces on the board, and each player has eight of them. These pieces are placed on the second rank, the row in front of the first rank where the other pieces are placed. The pawns are placed on each square of the second rank, in front of the previously placed pieces. The white player´s pawns are placed on squares a2-h2, while the black player´s pawns are placed on squares a7-h7.
Conclusion
Now that the board is set up, the game can begin. It is important to remember that the board should always have a white square on the bottom right-hand corner, and the players should sit on opposite sides of the board. This setup is crucial to ensure a fair and equal game between the two players. We hope this tutorial has helped you in understanding how to set up a chess board to play the game of chess. So, gather a friend, set up the board, and enjoy a game of chess!
