The name of every square is lesson 2 of 3 in The chessboard, a basics course suited to players rated around 100 (complete beginners). Every square has a name: first its file letter, then its rank number. It has 5 interactive exercises: 5 board-square exercises. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What this lesson explains
Go up the e-file to the 4th rank and you are on e4. Square names always say the letter first, then the number.
What you practise
Tap the square d5.
Tap the square g2.
Tap the two corners a8 and h1.
Tap the four centre squares: d4, e4, d5 and e5.
Tap c6, f3 and b7.
Worked examples
Tap the four centre squares: d4, e4, d5 and e5. These four squares are the centre. Controlling them is a big deal in chess.
chessGM