Chess Board Ranks and Files:
Part of the Beginner's Chess Guide (Section 1)
Chess Board
Ranks And Files
[Ranks]
A Chess Board can be split, first of all, into a single group of 8 horizontal Rows. These are known as Ranks.
Using Algebraic Notation, each Rank is given a unique, numerical 'marker' ('tag', 'identifier', whatever you want to call it) ...
Starting from White's base and rising up to the back of Black camp, the Ranks are marked as:
- Rank 1 ... (a1-h1)
- Rank 2 ... (a2-h2)
- Rank 3 ... (a3-h3)
- Rank 4 ... (a4-h4)
- Rank 5 ... (a5-h5)
- Rank 6 ... (a6-h6)
- Rank 7 ... (a7-h7)
- Rank 8 ... (a8-h8)
Back Rank
Taking another look at the above image ...
Both sides have, what is known as, their own "Back Rank" and it's where the Kings and the more-important pieces - i.e. everything else, but NOT the Pawns - start each game.
- White's Back Rank is all along the 1st Rank, from a1 to h1.
- Black's Back Rank is all along the 8th Rank, from a8 to h8.
Moving On: Files (Page 3).
| Return to the Chess Board Ranks and Files Index |
Subscribe To This Site
Chess Search 2.0
