Boards & Equipment

What is a first board in chess?

  • Board
  • Pieces
  • Coordinates

First board is a board or equipment term: in team chess, the player who is assigned to face the strongest opponents. Also called top board and board one. Second board faces the next strongest players, followed by third board, and so on. Generally board assignments must be made before the competition begins. Players may not switch boards, although reserve players are often allowed as substitutes. You use this term to describe the board accurately, which matters for notation, coordinates, and analysis.

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