chessboard

American  

[ches-bawrd, -bohrd] / ˈtʃɛsˌbɔrd, -ˌboʊrd /

noun

1. the board, identical with a checkerboard, used for playing chess.

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chessboard British  

/ ˈtʃɛsˌbɔːd /

noun

1. a square board divided into 64 squares of two alternating colours, used for playing chess or draughts

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Etymology

Origin of chessboard

1400–50; late Middle English. See chess ¹, board

Example Sentences

“If you move one piece on the chessboard, it changes everything for your next move,” she says.

From Barron's • Nov. 12, 2025

The so-called "database engineering" has opened the doors to biomedical research for many computer scientists and mathematicians, who often play essential roles on this chessboard.

From Science Daily • Nov. 26, 2024

The main difference this time around is that a new piece is dominating the Hill's political chessboard: The election.

From Salon • Sep. 30, 2024

"People who think that this is a chessboard and they can move a few pawns here and there and have a checkmate move at the end. This isn't going to happen," she says.

From BBC • Oct. 28, 2023

There is no more happen­stance, no more “freedom”, involved in the whereabouts of a lizard or a bear or a deer than in the location of a knight on a chessboard.

From "Life of Pi" by Yann Martel