Chess Path For Beginners: A Journey to Mastery - DAY 1

Whether you want to start learning Chess or you want to know the rules for every single chess player, This article is especially for you!

In this Blog we will cover :

1. From which country Chess is originated?
2. What is the correct way to put the chessbaord?
3. Hw many total Squares are there in chessbaord?
4. How many colour are there in the chessboard? and how many are there each colour?
5. What is Rank?
6. What is File ?
7. What is Square name ?
8. How many pieces are there in the chessboard and their values?
9. What is major and Minor Pieces?
10. Arranging the Chessboard!

1. Origin of Chess

Chess, an ancient game of strategy and intellect, traces its roots back nearly 1,500 years. Its earliest known predecessor was called chaturanga, which emerged in India.

2. Setting Up the Chessboard

To set up a chessboard correctly, follow these steps:

1. Place the board so that the bottom-right square is a light square. Both players will have a light square in the right corner closest to them.
2. Set up your pieces on the two horizontal rows (ranks) closest to you:
   • Major pieces (rooks, knights, bishops, queen, king) go on the first rank.
   • Pawns go on the second rank.

Note: Left board is correct because right hand side corner box is white thats why that board is correct.

3. Total Number of Squares

The chessboard contains a total of 64 squares.

4. Colors on the Chessboard

The chessboard alternates between dark and light squares. Traditionally, these are referred to as “white” and “black” squares. The arrangement of colors aids players in visualizing the board and planning their moves.

5. Understanding Ranks

• A rank is a row of squares that runs horizontally across the board.
• Normaly Rank are the numbers on the chessboard(1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8)
• There are eight ranks

6. Understanding File

• A file is a column of squares that runs vertically across the board.
• Normaly file are the alphabets on the chessboard(a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h)
• There are eight files

7. Understanding Sqaure Name

A chess board has 64 squares. Each square on the board has a name.

• File and Rank: To identify each square, we combine the file (vertical columns) and rank (horizontal rows) names. Here’s how it works:
  • The letter corresponds to the file, which runs up and down the board (from “a” to “h”).
  • The number corresponds to the rank, which runs side to side (from 1 to 8).
  • By using both the letter and the number, we get the name of the square. For example:
    • The square in the top left corner of the board is called “a8”.
    • The square in the bottom right corner is called “h1”.

Lets learn with an example :
Here is a psoition :

What is the name of the white king's square? First, figure out the name of the file. The white king is on the e-file. Now, look for the name of the rank: 3. The white king is on square e3.

What is the name of the black king's square? Again, we start with finding the file: the king is on the c-file. Now find the rank: 6. The black king is on c6

8. Pieces on the Chessboard and their values with nickname

• The chessboard hosts a total of 32 pieces (16 per side).
• Major pieces:
  • Rook: 2 per side
  • Knight: 2 per side
  • Bishop: 2 per side
  • Queen: 1 per side
  • King: 1 per side
• Minor pieces (pawns):
  • Pawn: 8 per side

Note :

1. King we can also say 0 (Zero points ) because we are not allowed to capture the King on the chessboard.
2. Nickname of the pawns are a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h ( all the alphabets but in small letter)

9. Major and Minor Pieces

• Major pieces: These include the Rooks and Queens.
• Minor pieces: Knights and Bishop

10. Arranging a chessbaord

The Pawns start on the 2-nd and 7-th Horizontals, The Rooks in the Corners, The Knights next to the Rooks, The Bishops next to the Knights and the Queens are placed on the same color as they are.

Then, the Kings fill in the remaining squares.

And there you have it! A comprehensive guide to the essential elements of chess. Happy playing! ️