chessboard
Sixty-four square arena
A chessboard is a square board divided into 64 alternating light and dark squares, arranged in an 8×8 grid.
It's the playing surface for chess and checkers.
Figuratively, a chessboard suggests strategic maneuvering: The Middle East became a chessboard for Cold War powers.
Four-sided equal figures
- ranksPositions in hierarchy
- filesStored data collections
- diagonalsLines joining opposite corners
- 64Eight squared
8x8 · coordinates · a1 · h8 · dark squares · center · corners · edges
Gap or start
- middlegameCentral chess phase
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
- castlingKing-rook simultaneous shift
- en passantPawn takes adjacent pawn
check · stalemate · zugzwang · pin · skewer · fork · sacrifice · gambit
Multi-round competitive event
- matchGame between opponents
- clockDevice displaying time
- time controlAllotted playing duration
- blitzSwift, overwhelming offensive
rapid · classical · rating · grandmaster · arbiter · adjournment · adjudication · notation
Arranging for future events
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- analysisMethodical study of parts
- positioningArranging in specific locations
Lowest-ranked chess pieces
- rooksCrow family birds
- knightsTitled warriors on horseback
- bishopsHigh-ranking clergy members
- queensFemale rulers or pieces
kings · starting position · arrangement · black pieces · Staunton · felted
Partner or companion
- fool's mateChess's quickest possible defeat
- double attackSingle move, multiple threats
- combinationJoining of multiple elements
- trapDevice for catching animals
squares
Four-sided equal figures
64 · 8x8 · coordinates · a1 · h8 · dark squares · center · corners · edges · kingside
opening
Gap or start
- middlegameCentral chess phase
- endgameConcluding phase of competition
- castlingKing-rook simultaneous shift
en passant · check · stalemate · zugzwang · pin · skewer · fork · sacrifice · gambit · fianchetto
tournament
Multi-round competitive event
- matchGame between opponents
- clockDevice displaying time
- time controlAllotted playing duration
blitz · rapid · classical · rating · grandmaster · arbiter · adjournment · adjudication · notation · scoresheet
planning
Arranging for future events
- calculationMathematical problem-solving process
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- analysisMethodical study of parts
pawns
Lowest-ranked chess pieces
queens · kings · starting position · arrangement · black pieces · Staunton · felted
mate
Partner or companion
- fool's mateChess's quickest possible defeat
- double attackSingle move, multiple threats
- combinationJoining of multiple elements
trap · deflection · decoy · overloading · interference
- game surfacespoker table, pool table, card table, billiard table, mahjong table
- boardswhiteboard, chalkboard, clipboard, scoreboard, billboard
- board gamesMonopoly, shogi, xiangqi, draughts, go
- chesscheck, pawns, knights, rooks, pawn
- grid patternsgrid pattern, square grid, lattice, gridlines, squares
- black and whitezebra, panda, orca, penguin, dalmatian
chessboardsolid color
Single unbroken hue
random pattern · blank canvas · tie-dye · gradient · camouflage
chessboardroulette wheel
Numbered spinning betting device
slot machine · poker table · craps table · pinball machine · dartboard
- chessboard setupInitial piece arrangement