Files and Ranks

Part of the Fundamentals section of Coddy's Chess journey. Lesson 2 of 46.

Files are the columns, lettered a to h from White’s left. Ranks are the rows, numbered 1 to 8 from White’s side. Every square sits where one file crosses one rank.

Try it yourselfBeginner

Position 1 of 7

FindFiles run toward your opponent. Tap any square on the a-file, above the letter a.

All 7 positions

All lessons in Fundamentals

1The Board

Meet the BoardFiles and RanksNaming Squares Setting Up Recap: The Board

4The King and the Pawn

The King The Pawn Pawn Captures The First Double Step Recap: King and Pawn

7Special Moves

Castling When You Cannot Castle Promotion En Passant Recap: Special Moves

2The Sliding Pieces

The Rook The Bishop The Queen Blocked Paths Recap: Sliding Pieces

5Captures and Check

How Captures Work What Pieces Are Worth Check Three Ways Out Moves You Cannot Play Recap: Check

8Writing Moves Down

Reading Moves Takes, Check and Mate Which Knight?Reading a Game Recap: Written Moves

3The Knight

The Knight's Jump Jumping Over Pieces Knights on the Rim Recap: The Knight

6Checkmate and Draws

Checkmate The Back Rank Mate With Two Rooks Stalemate Other Draws Recap: Checkmate

9Your First Game

Control the Centre Get Your Pieces Out Castle Early The Scholar's Mate Project: The Opening