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

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

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

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

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