The board
Every square has a name
Its file letter, then its rank number. Tap any square to see its name.
The files are the columns, a to h from White's left to right. The ranks are the rows, 1 to 8 from White's side. So e4 is on the e-file, four rows up.
The bottom-left corner, a1, is always dark. Set the board so each player has a light square in the right-hand corner: "light on the right".
The start position
White's pieces on ranks 1 and 2, Black's on 7 and 8. Tap a piece to see its name.
Rooks in the corners, then knights, then bishops. The queen goes on her own colour: the white queen on d1, a light square, the black queen on d8, a dark one. The kings face each other on the e-file.
White always moves first, then the players take turns, one move each.