The Chessboard — Chess Foundations, Lesson 1
Learn how the chessboard is laid out: files, ranks, diagonals, light and dark squares, and the algebraic coordinates behind every chess move.
This is lesson 1 of ten in Chess Foundations, a free beginner course from Endgame Society. Each lesson is short, written in plain language, and built around a board you can move pieces on while you read.
Learn the board, files, ranks, and the coordinate system used in all chess notation.
Chess is played on an 8×8 board with 64 squares — alternating light and dark. Before we talk about pieces, let's make sure you know the board itself.
Every square has a name. Columns are called files and labeled a through h (left to right from White's perspective). Rows are called ranks and numbered 1 through 8 (bottom to top from White's perspective).
So the bottom-left square is a1 , and the top-right square is h8 . You'll use this coordinate system every time you read or write a chess move.
The starting position. White pieces on ranks 1-2, Black on ranks 7-8. Notice how each side mirrors the other.
Work through the lessons in order and you will finish knowing how every piece moves, how games end, and how to plan your first few moves without memorising anything.
Our courses run from the rules of the board to endgame technique. Lessons are interactive: you read a short passage, then play the position out on a real board before moving on.
The Chessboard — Files, Ranks & Notation | Chess Foundations