checkerboard

A checkerboard is a square-patterned surface composed of evenly spaced squares in two contrasting colors, typically light and dark. The pattern forms a grid where colors alternate along both rows and columns. While black and white is most common, other color pairs are used in various designs and games. The distinctive high-contrast arrangement makes the pattern easily visible from a distance and suitable for gameplay and decoration.

The checkerboard is best known for its use in board games such as chess and draughts (checkers). In chess and English draughts, the board is usually 8 by 8, and typically only the dark squares are used for playing pieces in some variations, with rules governing movement and piece placement on those squares. Some games and variants employ different sizes, such as 10 by 10 for international draughts. A standard orientation places a light square at each player's right-hand corner.

Historically, the checkerboard motif appears in many cultures and periods, serving both practical and decorative functions. It has been used in art, textiles, architecture, and floor tiling as a simple yet versatile pattern to convey order, rhythm, and parity. In mathematics and education, the grid provides a straightforward way to illustrate concepts of even and odd numbers, symmetry, and spatial reasoning.

In contemporary use, checkerboard patterns appear in design, branding, and safety applications. They are produced in a range of materials, including wood, vinyl, ceramic, and metal, and can be scaled for floors, walls, or graphic elements. The pattern’s enduring appeal lies in its clarity, contrast, and modular structure.