It will be noticed that in the above diagram the square at the bottom right hand is a white one, and it is in this way that, by custom, the chess-board is always placed. The board is divided into 64 squares, coloured alternately black and white, or some similar distinctive colours. The squares are always called “White” and “Black,” whatever their actual colour may be, and similarly the men are invariably termed “White” and “Black,” though, as a matter of fact, often coloured white and red.
Having got the board in proper position, with its white square at the bottom right-hand corner, the next thing is to set up the men in proper order. There are thirty-two men in all—sixteen White and sixteen Black. They consist of the following:—
Two Kings: one White, one Black. The White King stands on the fourth square, counting from the White player’s right hand, and the Black King stands on the fourth square, counting from the Black player’s left hand. This brings the two Kings opposite each other, the White King standing on a black square and the Black King on a white square.
Two Queens: one White and one Black. The White Queen stands on the white square to the left of the square occupied by the King. Similarly, the Black Queen stands on the black square next to the Black King. It is of importance in setting up the men to bear in mind that the Queens stand on squares of the same colour as themselves, the White Queen being on a white square and the Black Queen on a black square.
Four Bishops: two White and two Black. These stand on the squares adjoining their respective King and Queen. The one next the King is called the King’s Bishop, and the one next the Queen is known as the Queen’s Bishop.
Four Knights: two White and two Black. These stand on the squares adjoining the Bishops. The Knight nearest the King is called the King’s Knight; the other is called the Queen’s Knight.
Four Rooks: two White and two Black. These occupy the four corner squares, the one nearest the King being termed the King’s Rook; the one nearest the Queen the Queen’s Rook. The Rooks are sometimes called Castles.
These sixteen men are collectively called pieces.
Sixteen Pawns: eight White and eight Black. These stand on the squares immediately in front of the sixteen pieces. They are named after the pieces in front of which they stand, as the King’s Pawn, the Queen’s Pawn, the King’s Bishop’s Pawn, and so on.
As it would be very cumbrous to use the full name of each piece or Pawn every time it may be necessary to refer to it, I shall in future use the recognised English notation, as follows:—
K for King.
Q for Queen.
B for Bishop.
Kt for Knight.
P for Pawn.