The Board and Setup

Start Here beginner branch

Learn the square names, the light-square-on-the-right rule, and where every piece belongs before the game starts.

Why This Matters

Every square has a name made from a file letter and a rank number, like e4 or b7.
Before you set up the pieces, turn the board so the light square is on the right.
Queens start on their own color: the white queen on d1 and the black queen on d8.

Name files, ranks, and simple coordinates like e4.
Use the "light square on the right" rule to orient the board correctly.
Set up the kings, queens, rooks, bishops, knights, and pawns in the right starting places.

Step 0 of 6

Try to play move 1:(Expected idea from lesson line)

Find the move yourself — the answer stays hidden until you solve it or reveal it.

Practice 1 of 4

White to move. Push the e-pawn two squares so it lands on e4.

Practice 2 of 4

Black to move. Step the king knight from g8 to f6.

Practice 3 of 4

White to move. Develop the king knight from g1 to f3.

Practice 4 of 4

White to move. Slide the bishop from f1 to b5.

Play from the normal starting setup. Before every legal move, say the square name you start from and the square name you land on.

Print one board per step to review the full sequence offline.