Chess piece identification
If you're using a traditional chess set, your pieces will look something like this:
Step One
Correctly Orientate the board. It is important to place the board the right way round. The rule is 'white on the right'. When sat facing the chess board the square that's the furthest on the right must be white. This will apply to both players if it's oriented correctly.
Step Two
Put the Pawns on the chess board. Place all sixteen pawns on the board as shown in the diagram.
Step Three
Put your rooks on the chess board. The rooks are the pieces that look like castles (assuming you're using a traditional chess set. Place them on the outer corners of the board. White rooks with white pawns and black rooks with black pawns.
Step Four
Put your knights on the chess board. Your knights (horses) go next to your rooks, obviously keeping all the white pieces on the same side and the black pieces on their side.
Step Five
Put your bishops on the chess board. Your bishops go onto the board as shown in the diagram, they go next to the knights.
Step Six
Put your queens on the chess board. You should now have two spare squares between your bishops. Put the black queen on her side on the black square. The white queen goes on her side, on the white square. The rule is that the queen always goes on her own colour for the start of the game.
Step Seven
Put your king on the chess board. See the diagram for where to place your kings. They go on the remaining square between the queen and bishop.
The board is now set up. White always goes first. Have a great game of chess!