Setting up a chessboard properly ensures both players start from the same, standard position. This short guide shows you the correct board orientation, where each piece goes, and a common mistake to avoid — with interactive diagrams you can explore.
Place the board so the bottom-right corner square nearest you is a light square. A quick memory trick: “White on right.” If the corner is dark, rotate the board 90°.
Beginners sometimes swap the king and queen. Remember: Queen on her color. Below is an incorrect example purely for learning — avoid this setup.
If you’re teaching someone or setting up quickly, place the major pieces first on the back rank in order (R–N–B–Q–K–B–N–R), then drop the eight pawns in front.
Q: Which side moves first?
A: White always moves first.
Q: Does board orientation matter online?
A: The server or app handles it for you — but knowing the correct orientation helps when playing over-the-board.
Q: How do I remember the order?
A: Think symmetry from the corners inward: Rook, Knight, Bishop, then Queen on her color, King, then mirror back out: Bishop, Knight, Rook.