chessboard

Everyday

A square board with 64 squares in eight rows of eight, coloured light and dark in turn, used for playing chess or draughts. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: a chessboard has 8 × 8 = 64 squares; famous puzzles count all its squares (204 of all sizes) or double grains of rice on each square. In games and stories: setting up the pieces on the chessboard.

Examples

• Set up the pieces on the chessboard. tree →
• A chessboard has 64 squares. tree →
• The chessboard squares are black and white. tree →
• We used the chessboard to play draughts. tree →
• There are 32 dark squares on a chessboard. tree →
• The cat knocked over the chessboard. tree →
• “Who are you at all?” he cried, starting back from the chessboard and staring on Fionn. tree →

Note

One word. 64 small squares, 32 light and 32 dark. Counting all squares of every size on a chessboard gives 204 — a common trick question. Draughts (UK) is called checkers in the US, played on the same board.