How to set up a chess board? there are 7 steps that you must follow in order to set up a chess board correctly. A chess board has 64 squares and if you want to set up a chess board then you should set up a white cornered square on the right side of the chess board.

How to set up a chess board in 7 steps

Here are 7 steps that you must follow when you are setting up a chess board. These steps will help you to set up a chess board quickly and correctly.

1. A white cornered square must be on the right side of the board.
2. Put all the pawns on second and 7th rank of the board.
3. Put all rooks on four-cornered squares.
4. Put all knights next to rooks.
5. Put all bishops next to knights
6. Put a queen on its color, like a white queen must be on the white square and a black queen must be on the black square.
7. Put the King next to the queen.

Congratulations, you have set up a board correctly. Now please remember that white always moves first.

Let’s follow all steps with pictures so you can memorize what the chess board will look like. Here is the picture of the empty chess board.

The very first step is to put the white cornered square on the right side of the board. Here is the example below in the picture in which a white cornered square is highlighted.

1: White cornered square on the right side of the board

When you have a chance to set up a chess board, you must place the white cornered square on the right side, in this way step 1 will be completed.

2: Put all the pawns on the second and 7th rank of the board

Step two is very easy, you have to put the white pawns on the second rank and all the black pawns on the 7th rank in order set up a chess board like an expert. Here is an exemplary picture of the chess board with pawns.

As you can see that it’s very easy to remember about setting up a chess board and now you know where all pawns will go.

3: Put the rooks on four-cornered squares

Now pick the rooks and place them on all cornered squares. If you are just setting up white pieces then you should pick the white rooks and not black rooks. Here is the picture which explains how rooks should be placed.

All four rooks have been placed on the corners of the board and I have highlighted them as well. It’s very easy, so there is no need to remember anything yet.

4: Put all knights next to rooks

Now you have to put all the knights next to the rooks, I am saying all because we have to set up a whole chess board not a one-sided chess board. Let’s look at the picture below and you will remember it by heart.

The knights have been placed correctly.

5: Put all bishops next to knights

Bishops are very dangerous, because of their capacity for long-range attacks. Oh, I am in love with bishops. You just have to put the bishops next to the knights. Here is the picture which explains cleverly.

I have highlighted all the bishops and you can see how they should be placed.

6: Put a queen on its color

Queen is the most powerful piece on the chess board, that’s why she sits next to the king. There is only one thing that you should remember that queen must be on its color, if you are setting up white pieces then the queen will go in the white square next to the king.

Here is the picture which explains where queens must be placed.

7: Put the King next to the queen

After placing the queen you have left only one square which belongs to the king. Therefore you should place the king on the remaining square. Here is the picture of the complete setup of the chess board after placing the king.

Congratulations, you have set up a chess board correctly.

Conclusion

There are 7 steps to remember when you are teaching your kids how to set up a chess board. The first step is to look at the white cornered square and place it on your right side. Then you have to remember the shortcut of RKB which means rook, knight, and bishop, and the last step is the queen on its color.

I hope that now you will be able to set up a chess board. One another important thing after setting up a chess board is to know how to castle, this guide may also help you: https://thechessforum.com/how-to-castle-in-chess/.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about setting up a chess board

There are some frequently asked questions about the chess boards. These questions will help you to get more knowledge about the chess board.

How many squares in the chess board?

There are 64 squares on the chess board. And there will be 8 rows and 8 columns.

Why are the chess boards black and white?

There is no rule that the chess board must be black and white, There are many colors but the point is both colors must not be the same and they should be in the contrast for the ease of the game. That’s why the chess board is black and white. If you want to know more about the color history of the chess board then you may visit Black and White color in Chess.

What are the chess board dimensions?

There are two dimensions available for the chess board. One is from FIDE, which says that a square size must be 1.97 inches to 2.36 inches. And another dimension from USCF (United States Chess Federation ) says the square size should be from 2 inches to 2.5 inches.

What are the letters and numbers on a chess board?

The letters and numbers on a chess board are called notation in chess. This notation will help you to write the chess game on paper which will be given to you in the classical chess game.

The chess board has 1-8 horizontal ranks and 8 vertical files with alphabet written on it. Here is the chess board with notations that will explain clearly what I am saying.

I have highlighted numbers and letters in red color, in order to explain what is chess notation.

If you have any other questions related to the chessboard, feel free to ask.