It has eight rows, called RANKS, each with eight squares.
It has eight columns, called FILES, each with eight squares.
There are 64 squares in total.
Count 'em!
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Here is a chess board. It has eight rows, called RANKS, each with eight squares. It has eight columns, called FILES, each with eight squares. There are 64 squares in total. Count 'em!
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Half the squares are gray - the lighter coloured squares on your board are called WHITE SQUARES or LIGHT SQUARES Half the squares are green - the darker coloured squares on your board are called BLACK SQUARES or DARK SQUARES
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This board is set up the RIGHT WAY ROUND. There is a WHITE SQUARE in the RIGHT HAND CORNER.
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This board is set up the WRONG WAY ROUND. There is a BLACK SQUARE in the RIGHT HAND CORNER.
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A chess player is a general in command of an army. Your army has sixteen men. One player commands the lighter colored (WHITE) army. The other player commands the darker colored (BLACK) army. In a game of chess you take it in turns to move. WHITE ALWAYS PLAYS THE FIRST MOVE.
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In your chess set you will find some chunky looking guys which look like castles or towers. These are called ROOKS (NOT castles). Each player starts with TWO ROOKS. The ROOKS start in the corners.
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Next, look for the pieces shaped like horses' heads. Again, you should find two White ones and two Black ones. These are called KNIGHTS. They start next to the Rooks.
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Now try to find four pointy-headed guys: two White ones and two Black ones. These are called BISHOPS. They start next to the Knights.
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You can always tell the KINGS. In any chess set they're the big guys with the cross on top. You should have two KINGS. One White King and one Black King. The White King goes on the BLACK SQUARE next to a Bishop. The Black King goes on the WHITE SQUARE next to a Bishop.
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You should find two more big guys, each with a sort of crown on. Again, you'll have a White one and a Black one. They fit in between the Bishop and the King. The WHITE QUEEN starts on a WHITE SQUARE and the BLACK QUEEN on a BLACK SQUARE.
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That should leave you with quite a lot of small guys. Count them, there should be eight of each colour. These are called PAWNS. Not Prawns and not Ponds. The PAWNS start in front of the other pieces.
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Remember WHITE QUEEN ON WHITE SQUARE: BLACK QUEEN ON BLACK SQUARE.
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To return to the classroom press "finish" To repeat the lesson press "start" Click here for a quiz on this lesson. 
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