How to set up a chess board- Step By Step

Setting up a chess board correctly is the very first step every player must learn. Whether you are a complete beginner or getting back into the game, this step-by-step guide will show you exactly where every piece goes so you can start playing straight away. A properly set board is the foundation of every great game — especially when playing on a luxury marble chess set where every piece deserves its proper place.

Chess is part of a rich family of marble board games — but unlike checkers or backgammon, it begins with a very specific setup that every player must know by heart.

---

Step 1 — Place the Board Correctly

Before placing any pieces, make sure the board is oriented correctly. Each player must have a light-coloured square in the bottom-right corner when looking from their side of the board.

---

Step 2 — Set Up the Back Row

The back row — also called the first rank — is where your major pieces go. Place them from left to right in this exact order for both White and Black, mirroring each other across the board. Browse our best-selling marble sets to see these pieces in their natural stone form.

1. Rooks — go in both corners (far left and far right)
2. Knights — go next to each Rook, moving inward
3. Bishops — go next to each Knight, moving inward
4. Queen — goes on the square that matches her colour (White Queen on light square, Black Queen on dark square)
5. King — goes on the only remaining central square

---

Step 3 — Place the Pawns

Once the back row is complete, fill the entire second row with your eight pawns. White pawns go on Row 2, Black pawns go on Row 7. The pawns form a protective wall in front of all your major pieces — and they are often the key to controlling the game in ways similar to positioning in marble checkers.

---

Complete Starting Position — Quick Reference

Square	White Piece	Black Piece
Corners (a1, h1 / a8, h8)	Rook	Rook
b1, g1 / b8, g8	Knight	Knight
c1, f1 / c8, f8	Bishop	Bishop
d1 / d8	Queen (light square)	Queen (dark square)
e1 / e8	King	King
Row 2 / Row 7	8 Pawns	8 Pawns

---

3 Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Wrong board orientation — dark square in the bottom-right. Always remember: light on right.
• Queen and King swapped — the Queen must go on her own colour. This is the most common beginner error.
• Pawns on the wrong row — pawns go on Row 2 (White) and Row 7 (Black), not the back row with the major pieces.

Once you have your luxury marble chess set correctly set up, you are ready to play. The setup takes only a few minutes to learn and quickly becomes second nature.

---

Conclusion

Setting up a chess board is a skill that takes moments to learn and lasts a lifetime. Remember three simple rules: light on right, back row from corners inward, and Queen on her own colour — and you will never set up a board incorrectly again.

Ready to play on a board worth remembering? Explore our collection of handcrafted marble chess sets — or find the perfect beginner set in our gifts under $100 collection.

Shop Marble Chess Sets →

---

Frequently Asked Questions