Variations
What prints with the starting settings
| Paper | US Letter — 215.9 × 279.4 mm (8.5 × 11 in) |
|---|---|
| Board | 8 × 8 squares |
| Board size on this page | about 18 cm square |
| Margins | 1/2″ |
| Line weight | 0.18 mm (bold 0.35 mm) |
| Print setting | Scale 100% / Actual size |
A board anywhere
A paper chessboard weighs nothing, fits in a book and costs nothing to replace. With small magnetic or travel pieces, or even coins and buttons, it’s a full game for trains, cafés and classrooms. The coordinates printed along the edges make it a teaching tool too.
Reading the coordinates
Files are lettered a to h from White’s left to right, and ranks are numbered 1 to 8 from White’s side. Every square has a name, such as e4 or g7, which is how moves are recorded. Practising with the coordinates in front of you is the quickest way to learn notation.
Ideas for teachers and clubs
- Position sheets: draw a puzzle position with pencil symbols (K, Q, R, B, N, P) and set it as homework.
- Square-naming games: call out a square and see who points to it first.
- Piece movement: shade every square a knight can reach from a starting square.
Other boards
The same page can print a checkers board or a Go board; all are on the game boards page. For a sturdy board, print on card and laminate it, or glue it to the inside of a box lid.
Printing
Print at 100% / Actual size. Grey squares use less ink; brown and green look more like a wooden board or a tournament mat.
More chess & go boards sheets
Frequently asked questions
How big are the squares?
About 22 mm (7/8 inch) on Letter or A4, so the board is about 18 cm across. That suits small travel pieces, paper cut-out pieces and counters.
Which way round does the board go?
With a light square in each player's right-hand corner ("light on the right"). The coordinates show White's view: files a to h from left to right and ranks 1 to 8 from the bottom.
Can I play with full-size pieces?
Tournament pieces need squares of 5 to 6 cm, so the board would be over 40 cm across. Print on Tabloid or A3 for a bigger board, or use smaller pieces.
Is it useful for lessons?
Yes. Print a stack to draw positions, arrows and plans, and to practise reading algebraic notation using the printed coordinates.
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