How to Set Up a Chessboard Correctly

What you need before setting up

A standard chess set has a board of 64 alternating light and dark squares and 32 pieces. Each player begins with 16 pieces:

• one king;
• one queen;
• two rooks;
• two bishops;
• two knights; and
• eight pawns.

White uses the light-colored army and moves first. Black uses the dark-colored army and moves second. The names “White” and “Black” refer to the two sides even when a physical set uses colors such as cream and brown.

Step 1: orient the chessboard

Place the board so the corner square nearest each player's right hand is light. The common memory aid is “light on right.” From White's side, the right-hand corner is h1; from Black's side, it is a8. Both are light squares.

If the right-hand corner is dark, rotate the board 90 degrees before placing pieces. This is the most important first check because a rotated board changes every coordinate and places the kings and queens on the wrong files.

Files are the vertical columns labeled a through h from White's left to right. Ranks are the horizontal rows numbered 1 through 8 from White's side toward Black. White's back rank is rank 1, and Black's back rank is rank 8.

Step 2: place the rooks in the corners

Put White's rooks on a1 and h1. Put Black's rooks on a8 and h8. Starting from the corners gives you reliable anchors for the remaining pieces.

Rooks belong on the outside because the back-rank order moves inward symmetrically: rook, knight, bishop, then queen and king in the center.

Step 3: place the knights beside the rooks

White's knights go on b1 and g1. Black's knights go on b8 and g8. A knight is usually recognizable by its horse-shaped head.

Knights are the only pieces that can move at the start without a pawn moving first, because they can jump over occupied squares. Their starting placement is explored further in how chess pieces move.

Step 4: place the bishops beside the knights

White's bishops go on c1 and f1. Black's bishops go on c8 and f8. One bishop begins on a light square and the other on a dark square, so together they can operate on both color complexes.

At the start, pawns block each bishop's diagonals. This is intentional; bishops normally enter the game after one or more central pawns move.

Step 5: place each queen on her own color

Use the memory aid “queen on her color.” The White queen belongs on the light square d1. The Black queen belongs on the dark square d8.

This rule works from either side and avoids relying on left or right, which changes with perspective. When both queens are placed correctly, they face each other on the d-file.

Step 6: place the kings on the remaining center squares

White's king goes on e1, and Black's king goes on e8. The kings face each other on the e-file. If the queens are on d1 and d8, the only empty central squares on each back rank are the correct king squares.

The complete back-rank order from White's a-file to h-file is:

rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, rook

Black has the same order when read from a8 to h8.

Step 7: place all eight pawns

White's pawns fill rank 2, from a2 through h2. Black's pawns fill rank 7, from a7 through h7. The four central ranks—3, 4, 5, and 6—are empty before the first move.

Pawns face forward toward the opponent's side. Their physical shape has no direction, so their rank determines which way they move: White toward rank 8 and Black toward rank 1.

A 20-second verification checklist

Before starting a clock, verify the position in this order:

1. Both players have a light square on the right.
2. All 16 White pieces occupy ranks 1 and 2.
3. All 16 Black pieces occupy ranks 8 and 7.
4. The queens stand on d1 and d8, each on its own color.
5. The kings stand on e1 and e8.
6. Rooks occupy all four corners.
7. White is ready to make the first move.

In an organized over-the-board game, alert an arbiter if you discover a setup problem after play begins. Do not silently rearrange pieces while the clock is running.

Common setup mistakes

• Rotating the board so a dark square is on the right.
• Swapping king and queen because the setup was copied from the opponent's perspective.
• Reversing the bishop and knight order.
• Leaving one pawn off the board or placing nine pawns on a rank.
• Pointing both players' coordinates in the same visual direction when using a digital diagram.
• Assuming White's king belongs on d1 because it appears to the left from Black's seat.

Frequently asked questions

Does the White queen always start on a white square?

Yes. The White queen starts on the light square d1, while the Black queen starts on the dark square d8.

Which side of the board does the king go on?

Use coordinates rather than “left” or “right”: White's king is on e1 and Black's king is on e8. Left and right change depending on where you sit.

Who moves first in chess?

White always makes the first move in standard chess. Players then alternate one move at a time.

What to learn next

Browse the beginner chess lessons, then learn how each chess piece moves and follow the routine for playing your first complete game.

Rules reference: FIDE Laws of Chess, Article 2.