Directions in Chess

 As we can clearly see in the above picture, there are mainly three directions we are concerned with in chess.

1. Files also known as Vertical Squares

2. Ranks also known as Horizontal Squares

3. Diagonal also known as The Cross Squares. 

Files can be a-h. We read a particular file as "a file", "b file", "c file", "d file", "e file", "f file", "g file", "h file".

Ranks can be 1-8. We read a particular rank as "1st rank". "2nd rank". "3rd rank". "4th rank". "5th rank". "6th rank". "7th rank". "8th rank".

Files and ranks are used to determine squares on the chessboard, e.g. "a1" , "b6", "g2", etc, we learn more about these when we learn notation.

Diagonal: From the above picture, let's name the diagonals we marked in red.

a1 to h8 is one diagonal (we can read it h8-a1 as well)

f1 to a6 is one diagonal (we can read it h8-a1 as well)

c6 to h1 is one diagonal (we can read it h8-a1 as well)

f3 to h5 is one diagonal (we can read it h8-a1 as well)

Diagonal can be of white squares or of black squares.

Why do we need to know these? 

These directions are important to understand how each pieces moves and capture in chess. They are also important to understand how notation is read and written.

Happy Learning!!!