What is Square colour in chess?
Each bishop is permanently locked to either light squares or dark squares for the whole game.
Because bishops cannot change square colour, having a bishop on the same colour as most of your own pawns (a 'bad bishop') is a long-term weakness. Two bishops together cover all square colours, which is why the bishop pair is often a strong advantage.
Spot square colour in your own games
Free. Chess2EZ finds the patterns you keep missing and explains each in plain English.
Analyze my games →More chess terms
- BlunderA move that throws away material or the game, usually for nothing.
- ForkOne piece attacking two or more enemy pieces at the same time.
- PinA piece can't move because doing so would expose a more valuable piece behind it.
- SkewerLike a pin in reverse: a valuable piece is attacked and must move, exposing a piece behind it.
- Discovered attackMoving one piece unveils an attack from another piece behind it.
- Double checkTwo pieces give check at the same time via a discovered attack.