Schackrutor

Schackrutor are the sixty-four individual squares that make up a standard chessboard. They form an 8-by-8 grid with alternating light and dark colors, arranged so that White’s home side is at the bottom. The board is oriented so that the bottom-right square is light and the bottom-left square is dark (a1 is dark, h1 is light).

Each square has a unique coordinate consisting of a file letter from a to h and a rank number from 1 to 8. Files run from White’s left to White’s right, while ranks run from White’s side to Black’s side. Examples of coordinates include e4 and d5. The coordinates provide a universal way to describe positions and moves, independent of a player’s perspective.

Schackrutor are used to record and analyze games, set up positions, and solve chess problems. Moves are described by indicating the piece and the destination square (for example, Nf3 or e4), with the destination square identifying the target square on the board. The 8x8 arrangement of squares underpins standard algebraic notation, diagram representation, and computer input in chess software.

In education and competition, understanding schackrutor is foundational. They enable precise communication about piece placement, tactical motifs, and endgame setups, and they remain a fundamental reference point across both physical boards and digital interfaces.