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| Chess is a game of war between a black army and a white army. In reality the chess pieces come in many different colors but the darker pieces are always referred to as Black and the lighter pieces are always referred to as White. A chessboard is an 8x8 arangement of 64 squares, alternating dark and light in color. This is the battlefield where the war takes place. Before the pieces are set up, the board must be rotated so that there is a light square in the lower right hand corner with respect to each player. The saying, "Light on right" will help you remember this. | 
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| Now let's put the pieces in their proper initial positions on the board. When chessboards are displayed in books and other media, usually the white pieces are placed on the bottom and the black pieces on top. Conforming to this, the Rooks, looking like castle towers, are placed in the corners of the board, white on the bottom and black on top. |
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| Knights, which usually resemble horses, are placed next to each Rook. | 
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| The King and Queen are placed in the center. The cross on top of the King's crown distinguishes it from the Queen. Many novice chess players frequently place the King and Queen on the wrong squares when setting up the board. The White Queen always starts the game on a light square and the Black Queen always starts on a dark square. "Queen on color", or "The dress matches the shoes" are sayings that can help you remember this. |
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| Next to the King and Queen go their trusted advisors, the Bishops. | 
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| Finally, the Pawns, the foot soldiers of the army, go on the row in front of the major pieces. This is the complete setup position. The board is now ready to start a game of chess. |
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Last modified: 04 October 2004
Roger McIntyre