Ranks

In chess, "ranks" refer to the horizontal rows of squares on the board, numbered 1 to 8 from White's side to Black's side. They help players specify the position of pieces. For example, the square e4 is on the 4th rank and the 5th file (column e). Ranks are important for understanding movement and strategies in the game, as they provide a coordinate system that makes it easier to describe and analyze positions precisely.