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rank vs. file

rank vs. file

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I feel so stupid asking this question after playing chess for 45 years but I am trying to help out a newbie and don't want to feed him misinformation. Rank and file...horizontal is rank, vertical is file???

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Originally posted by blinky100
I feel so stupid asking this question after playing chess for 45 years but I am trying to help out a newbie and don't want to feed him misinformation. Rank and file...horizontal is rank, vertical is file???
Yes. Rank = vertical / numbers and File = horizontal / letters.

This may help, for future reference. ---> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glossary_of_chess

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Yeah, I actually consulted wikipedia but I distrust the info as I have found it to be occasionally wrong and could not afford giving incorrect info to someone else. Thanks for the confirmation though.😀

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Now I am really confused...wikipedia and my memory see the files as being vertical and the ranks being horizontal...you description is diametrically opposite?????

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Originally posted by blinky100
Now I am really confused...wikipedia and my memory see the files as being vertical and the ranks being horizontal...you description is diametrically opposite?????
Good catch! Yes, I have it totally backwards.
I should have read what I posted a little closer before posting it!

Rank = horizontal and File = vertical.
From white's side of the board the ranks are numbered 1 to 8 and
the files are a to h from left to right.

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Thank you for your help. This is exactly why I wouldn't trust myself!!😛

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I always remember Back Rank Mate