The chess board and the names of the squares
A free lesson from My Chess Family for children learning chess. Read it together, try each question on a real board, or print it out.
Download the printable sheet (PDF) Play this lesson on the board
Light and dark squares
This is a chess board. It has 64 squares, light and dark.
Each square has a name. A letter for the column, a number for the row. This one is e4.
Try it 1. Point to the square called d5.
Show the answer
d5
Try it 2. How many squares are on a chess board? A: 32B: 64C: 100
Show the answer
B: 64
Where the pieces live
Every piece has a home at the start. White is at the bottom. Black is at the top.
The pawns stand in a row at the front. The big pieces stand behind them.
The rooks live in the corners.
Try it 3. Point to the two white rooks.
Show the answer
a1, h1
Next to the rooks are the knights. They look like horses.
Next come the bishops.
The white queen starts on a light square, in the middle.
Try it 4. Point to the white queen.
Show the answer
d1
The king stands right next to the queen.
Try it 5. Point to the white king.
Show the answer
e1
Try it 6. Who moves first? A: WhiteB: Black
Show the answer
A: White
Next: How the rook moves in chess
Learn with the whole family
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