Before placing any pieces, you must position the chessboard correctly:
- The right-hand corner square must be white for both players
- If your board has algebraic notation (letters a-h and numbers 1-8), ensure the numbers face each player
Each player commands 16 pieces with unique movement capabilities:
| Piece | Quantity | Movement | Relative Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| King | 1 | Any squares, straight/diagonal | Priceless |
| Queen | 1 | Any squares straight/diagonal | 9 points |
| Rook | 2 | Any squares straight | 5 points |
| Bishop | 2 | Any squares diagonal | 3 points |
| Knight | 2 | L-shape (2+1) | 3 points |
| Pawn | 8 | Forward 1 (or 2 first move) | 1 point |
How To Setup Up Your Chess Board?
1. Place the Rooks in the Corners
The white rooks start on a1 and h1, while black rooks begin on a8 and h8.
Pro tip: “Rooks nest in the corners like sturdy bookends.”
2. Position the Knights Next to Rooks
White knights stand ready on b1 and g1, while black knights take their posts on b8 and g8.
Visual tip: “The horse-shaped knights stand sentinel beside each rook.”
3. Add Bishops Beside the Knights
White bishops claim c1 and f1, while black bishops occupy c8 and f8.
Golden rule: “Bishops remain loyal to their starting color throughout the entire battle.”
4. Place the Queens on Their Color
The white queen begins on d1 (a white square), while the black queen starts on d8 (a black square).
Quick tip: “The queen always claims her matching color throne.”
5. Kings Take the Remaining Center Square
The white king takes his throne at e1, directly opposing the black king at e8.
Key detail: “The rival kings begin face-to-face, ready for battle.”
6. Line Up All 8 Pawns
White pawns line up from a2 to h2, forming a protective wall, while black pawns stand guard from a7 to h7.
Essential strategy: “Your pawns are the frontline soldiers – their formation shapes the entire battle.”
Using Chess Notation for Perfect Chess Board Setup
For players using boards with algebraic notation –
| White Pieces | Black Pieces |
| Rooks: a1, h1 Knights: b1, g1 Bishops: c1, f1 Queen: d1 King: e1 Pawns: a2-h2 | Rooks: a8, h8 Knights: b8, g8 Bishops: c8, f8 Queen: d8 King: e8 Pawns: a7-h7 |
Common Chess Board Setup Mistakes to Avoid
- Board orientation errors (dark square on right)
- Swapping queen and king positions
- Misplacing knights and bishops
- Uneven pawn rows
- Facing pieces the wrong way
If you want to know about the rules and regulations of chess, you can check this link. For more chess tutorials, chess classes and advanced strategies, visit Caissa School of Chess. You can play a game for free and get evaluated in 3 minutes!
