White and Black in chess

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In chess, the player who moves first is referred to as "White" and the player who moves second is referred to as "Black." Similarly, the pieces that each conducts are called, respectively, "the white pieces" and "the black pieces." The pieces are often not literally White and Black, but some other colors (usually a light color and a dark color, respectively). The 64 squares of the chessboard, which is colored in a checkered pattern, are likewise referred to as "white squares" and "dark squares." In most cases, the squares are not actually white and black, but a light color and a contrasting dark color. For example, the squares on plastic boards are often white and green, while those on wood boards are often light brown and dark brown.

The convention of White having the first move is comparatively recent. On October 19, 1857, Mr. Perrin, the Secretary of the New York Chess Club, informed those assembled at the First American Chess Congress that he had received a letter from Johann Löwenthal, a leading English player, "suggesting the advisableness of always giving the first move in public games, to the player of the white pieces."^[1] The club evidently did not follow this advice, since in its match the following year against its Philadelphia counterpart, Philadelphia played White in both games, but moved first only in the second game.^[2]

[edit] See also

• First-move advantage in chess

[edit] Notes