Chess for Beginners

Author: Li Zunnian / et al.
Editor-in-Chief: Zhang Qingyuan
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-03-01
Features:
Excerpt: Chapter A Brief Introduction to International Chess Rules
Section Chess Equipment International chess equipment includes a chessboard, chess pieces, chess clocks, and score sheets. For beginners, it is essential to familiarize themselves with the chessboard, pieces, and competition rules before playing. This section provides an introduction to these aspects.
1. Chessboard and Names
(1) Chessboard The international chessboard is square, divided into 64 small squares of alternating light and dark colors by nine horizontal and vertical lines intersecting at right angles. The light squares are called "white squares," and the dark squares are called "black squares." When setting up the board, the white square corner must be placed on your right side; it cannot be placed incorrectly. (Figure 1-1) According to international chess rules, the white player moves first, so the names of the squares are determined based on the white player. In publications, chessboard diagrams show the white side at the bottom; teaching chessboards and display boards are also arranged this way.
(2) Chessboard Names Each small square on the chessboard has a fixed name.
1. Files Eight consecutive rows of alternating light and dark squares, running from the white side to the black side, are called "files," though the current technical term is "rank." From left to right (from the white side), they are labeled with the eight lowercase Latin letters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h, forming the "horizontal coordinates" of the board. The a rank is the "left file" for the white player and the "right file" for the black player. The a rank and h rank are also called the "side lines" of the board.
2. Ranks Eight rows of squares perpendicular to the files, running from the white side to the black side (from bottom to top), are called "ranks," though the current technical term is "rank." They are labeled with the numbers 1 to 8, forming the "vertical coordinates" of the board. The ranks are the "front rank" for the white player and the "rear rank" for the black player. The 1st rank and 8th rank are also called the "base lines" for the white and black players, respectively.