Which Chess Color Goes First? The Simple Rule and Why It Exists

Ever noticed how every chess game starts the same way? That’s no coincidence. White always moves first, a rule as old as the game itself. But why does white get the spotlight? From historical quirks to modern strategy (and even Luxury Chess Sets), this article unpacks why the first move still matters more than most players realise.

The Simple and Unchanging Rule: White Always Moves First

No matter where you play online, in a park, or on a polished chess board, white always makes the first move. It’s one of the few absolute rules in chess that’s never up for debate.

This tradition isn’t just for professionals. Even beginners setting up their first chess board setup are taught that white goes first. It creates fairness, rhythm, and predictability in a game known for its infinite complexity.

This is the Official Rule for All Levels of Chess, from Casual to World Championship Play

From your kitchen table to the World Chess Championship, white’s right to move first is universal. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) enforces this rule globally, ensuring that every player starts under the same condition.

It doesn’t matter if your board is digital, magnetic, or part of a Luxury Chess Sets, white always starts the game. It’s a simple rule that sets the foundation for centuries of strategic play.

Does the First Move Give the White Player an Advantage?

Here’s the million-pound question: is it better to go first or last in chess? In short, yes going first offers a slight edge. But don’t pack up your black pieces just yet; there’s more to the story.

Understanding the "First-Move Advantage" in Chess Theory

The first-move advantage means white sets the tone while black responds. Think of it like kicking off a football match, you dictate the first play. White’s first move helps seize control of the centre squares and shape how the battle unfolds.

Still, advantage doesn’t mean guaranteed victory. Grandmasters spend decades learning how to turn black’s defensive start into a counterattack. Strategy trumps colour every single time.

How White Gets to Dictate the Opening and Initial Flow of the Game

Because white moves first, they can push into key central positions usually e4 or d4 forcing black to react. This lets white control the early tempo and limit black’s freedom to choose the pace of play.

It’s like being the one who speaks first in a debate. You set the topic, and your opponent has to adapt. Every good black player knows the trick: stay calm, defend, and wait for white to overreach.

What the Statistics from Grandmaster Games Show About White's Advantage

The numbers don’t lie. Across thousands of professional games, white wins about 52–56% of the time, while black takes roughly 44–48%.

It’s not a massive difference but in elite chess, those few percentage points matter. For casual players, it’s more about confidence than statistics. You can still win with black if you play smart, patient chess.

The History of the First-Move Rule in Chess

Here’s where it gets interesting. White didn’t always move first. In fact, the idea only became standard in the late 19th century. Before that, chess players decided who started using everything from coin flips to pure luck.

How the Rule Wasn't Fully Standardised Until the Late 19th Century

For centuries, chess was more tradition than regulation. Each region had its own way of deciding who made the first move. Some allowed black to start, others used random methods.

That changed in the late 1800s when chess became an organised sport. Tournaments needed consistency, so governing bodies agreed on a single rule: white moves first. It gave the game structure, order, and a universal standard.

How Players in the Past Sometimes Drew Lots to Decide Who Moved First

Before things were standardised, players often drew lots or flipped coins to decide who went first. In some old European clubs, players would hide pawns behind their backs and let opponents pick a hand to decide their colour.

It was fun but chaotic. The move to a fixed rule white always starts turned chess from a pastime into a sport defined by precision and fairness.

How to Decide Who Plays as White in a Casual Game

In casual games, there’s no referee or regulation, just two players and a board. So, how to decide who goes first in chess when it’s not a tournament? It’s all about creativity and fairness.

The Classic Method: One Player Hides a White and Black Pawn in Each Hand

The oldest and most common way to pick colours is by the hidden pawn method. One player hides a white and a black pawn behind their back. The opponent guesses which hand holds the white pawn. Guess right, you play white. Guess wrong, you’re black.

It’s simple, fair, and adds a fun bit of suspense before the game even begins.

Other Common Methods like a Simple Coin Toss

Other players just toss a coin or take turns switching colours between rounds. Some even roll dice. However you decide, the goal is balance, to make sure both players get an equal chance to play white and black over time.

How Colours are Determined in a Tournament Setting

When it comes to professional play, things get serious. There’s no guessing or luck, just strict systems.

The System of Alternating Colours in Multi-Game Matches to Ensure Fairness

In official tournaments, players alternate colours every round. If you play white in one game, you’ll play black in the next. This rule eliminates bias and keeps competition fair.

In multi-game matches, organisers often use pairing systems to ensure no player gets white too often. It’s chess’s way of making sure skill, not colour, decides the winner.

FAQ: The First Move in Chess

Has Black ever been allowed to move first in the history of chess?

Yes, chess black moves first was actually a thing centuries ago. In early versions of the game, players sometimes agreed to let black start, or the colour was decided by random draw. It wasn’t until the 19th century that white officially claimed the first move forever.

How big is White's first-move advantage in chess?

In real terms, white’s first-move advantage is tiny roughly a 4–6% better win rate. It matters in professional play, but for everyday players, focus on your tactics and strategy instead. Even the best opening can crumble without good decision-making.

Do you have to play with white and black pieces?

Technically, no. You can play with any two contrasting colours. Many Luxury Chess Sets use gold and silver, or marble and ebony. The only rule is that one colour must be lighter, and that lighter colour always moves first.

Final Thought:
Whether you’re mastering your chess board setup or watching a world championship game, remember one timeless truth: white always moves first. It’s a rule born from history, strengthened by fairness, and kept alive by millions of players around the world.

Because in chess just like in life, the one who makes the first move sets the tone for everything that follows.