These squares alternate between two colours: one light, such as white, beige, or yellow; and the other dark, such as 1️⃣ black or green.

The board is set between the two opponents so that each player has a light-coloured square at the 1️⃣ right-hand corner.

Individual moves and entire games can be recorded using one of several forms of notation.

By far the most widely 1️⃣ used form, algebraic (or coordinate) notation, identifies each square from the point of view of the player with the light-coloured 1️⃣ pieces, called White.

The eight ranks are numbered 1 through 8 beginning with the rank closest to White.