Setting up a chessboard is the very first thing you need to learn before playing. While it might seem straightforward, many beginners make common mistakes, such as placing the queen on the wrong square or orienting the board sideways.
Here is a simple, step-by-step guide to setting up your chessboard correctly every single time.
Step 1: Orient the Board ("White on the Right")
Before placing any pieces, look at the bottom row of squares. The square in your bottom-right corner must be a light (white) square. A helpful memory aid for this is the phrase: "White on the right."
If the square in your bottom-right corner is dark, rotate the board 90 degrees.
Step 2: Place the Rooks in the Corners
Rooks look like castle towers and represent the walls of your army. Place your two rooks on the outermost corners of the bottom rank (squares a1 and h1 for White, a8 and h8 for Black).
Step 3: Place the Knights Next to the Rooks
The knights (horses) stand guard next to the rooks. Place them on squares b1 and g1 for White, and b8 and g8 for Black.
Step 4: Place the Bishops Next to the Knights
Bishops represent the officers and stand next to the knights. Place them on squares c1 and f1 for White, and c8 and f8 for Black. At this stage, your back row should have rooks, knights, and bishops on both sides, leaving two empty squares in the middle.
Step 5: Place the Queen on Her Own Color
This is where most mistakes happen. The rule to remember is: "Queen on color."
- The White Queen must go on the central light (white) square (d1).
- The Black Queen must go on the central dark (black) square (d8).
If your queen's color does not match the square she is sitting on, your setup is incorrect!
Step 6: Place the King Next to the Queen
The king takes the final remaining square on the back rank next to the queen (e1 for White, e8 for Black).
Step 7: Line Up the Pawns on the Second Rank
Finally, place your eight pawns on the second rank (row 2 for White, row 7 for Black). These pawns act as a defensive wall for your pieces.
Setup Check
Double-check your setup:
- Is the bottom-right square light?
- Are the queens facing each other on the d-file?
- Are the kings facing each other on the e-file?
Once everything is in place, you are ready to play!
If you don't have a physical board nearby, you can play on a perfectly set-up digital board anytime. Head over to LocalChess, start a game against the computer, and put your skills to the test!