How to Set Up a Chessboard
Setting up a chessboard incorrectly is one of the most common beginner mistakes. Here is the step-by-step guide to getting it right every time.
Step 1: Orient the board
Place the board so that each player has a light-coloured square in the bottom-right corner. Remember: "light on right." This is the most commonly violated rule in movies and TV shows.
Step 2: Place the rooks
Place a rook on each corner square (a1, h1 for White; a8, h8 for Black).
Step 3: Place the knights and bishops
Next to each rook, place a knight. Next to each knight, place a bishop. The order from the corner is: Rook, Knight, Bishop.
Step 4: Place the queen and king
The queen goes on the remaining square of her own colour (White queen on a light square d1, Black queen on a dark square d8). The king goes on the last remaining square. Remember: "queen on her colour."
Step 5: Place the pawns
Place all 8 pawns on the second rank (row 2 for White, row 7 for Black). Every pawn starts in front of the pieces.
Common mistakes
- Board rotated 90°: dark square should NOT be in the bottom-right corner.
- King and queen swapped: the queen always goes on her own colour.
- Knights and bishops swapped: knights go next to rooks, bishops go next to the king and queen.