Rank and file chess definition

With two knights on g5 and g1, the moves are N5f3 or N1f3. The color s of the sixty-four squares alternate between light and dark, and are referred to as " light squares " and " dark squares ".

We use these numbers and letters to describe where pieces are on the chessboard. From White's perspective, the files from left to right are named "a" through "h. Each square is named by combining its file and rank. Each square has a name. The students learned these names. We then discussed two pieces: king and rook. Even those who had never played chess before should now know how the king and rook move. They should understand check and checkmate.

Unlike the case with files, rank names are always given from the point of view of each individual player. They then attack the two squares diagonal ly in front of them or one if the white pawn occupies the first or last file on the board and as these squares are empty - they are not attacking anything. The columns are called as files.

Trick to remember this is, first letter of row and rank is r. So you can remember that way. Each square has a designated name assigned to it. Each column that is file, from left to write are named alpha betically starting from a to h. If a board is treated like a map face, these correspond to the north, south, east and west directions.

On other types of boards, orthogonal direction s are those that pass from space to space through shared sides. The white king must reach the key squares to win. The reason these are key squares is because you will be able to take the opposition , or force zugzwang , because of the spare tempo. ROOK A piece that looks and is sometimes called a castle. It can be confusing, because the "castle" in chess is a verb.

In algebraic notation, we use a system of alphanumeric co-ordinates to identify each square. On the other hand a square is a hole even if it can be control led in the future with a pawn that has made a capture. That would not be in keeping with justice. The second rank - ie.

A horizontal side-to-side line on the chessboard. Rapid Chess Chess played with a fast time control see "time control". A game is usually considered " rapid " if a player has between 10 and 60 minutes for all the moves. The mobility of the backward pawn is reduced to zero, until the forward pawn moves. Nf4 Rfe8 Rhe1 Nf8 Qc4 Qd6 The eight vertical columns of squares are called "files".

A straight line of squares of the same colour , touching corner to corner, is called a "diagonal". Laws of Chess - The nature and objectives of the game of chess Each square of the board, then, is uniquely identified by its file letter and rank number.

Round Robin Tournament where each contestant plays one game with every other contestant. A combination of the vertical and horizontal cylinders is called an " anchor ring ". D Directmate Discovered attack A player, by moving a piece, uncovers an attack on an opponent's piece Files are significant for two reasons.

First, they are important for notating or reading games. In addition, in a game, heavy pieces rooks and queen seek special files that are described in this section. In chess notation, a file is used to designate every square, which has an alphanumeric name. In addition, the file is required to record each move. In the following position, White has just played Bb The "B" stands for the piece, which is a bishop, and "b5" refers to the square.

The b5-square is on the b-file and the fifth rank. In a game of chess, files are fought for by rooks and queens. Because they move up or down vertically as many squares as they can, open and semi-open files are very important for these pieces. In the following example, White controls the only open files with their rooks:. The white rooks are more active than the black rooks and threaten to infiltrate Black's position by moving to the seventh rank.

The rooks are even more active on the seventh rank! Note that controlling the seventh rank would not be possible without first controlling the open files. Now that you know what files are and why they are important, let's test your ability to take control of a file! In the following position, it is White to move.

Is there an open file? If so, how can White take control of it? Rb1 takes control of the open b-file. White can now double their rooks on the b-file and then infiltrate Black's territory! Let's try one more! In the following position, White has full control of the e-file. After a few captures on the e8-square, White delivers checkmate! Very good! You now know what a file is, why files are important and how to take control of them!

Use this new knowledge in your own games and may you control many open files! Why Are Files Important? The d-file is highlighted. The e-file is open. The c-file and e-file are both considered semi-open. There are no open or semi-open files in this position; they are all closed files.