diff --git a/src/chess.c b/src/chess.c
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..e80738d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/chess.c
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+#include "chess.h"
+#include <stdbool.h>
+
+int board[BOARD_VERTICAL][BOARD_HORIZONTAL];
+
+bool init_board() {
+    
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/chess.h b/src/chess.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..ab1cbd4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/chess.h
@@ -0,0 +1,34 @@
+#ifndef CHESS_H
+#define CHESS_H
+
+/* the "board" is the playable area on which
+ * pieces move. pieces are represented by numbers:
+ * 0 - no piece
+ * 1 - pawn
+ * 2 - rook
+ * 3 - knight
+ * 4 - bishop
+ * 5 - queen
+ * 6 - king
+*/
+
+#define BOARD_HORIZONTAL 8
+#define BOARD_VERTICAL 8
+//int board[BOARD_VERTICAL][BOARD_HORIZONTAL];
+
+// the default arrangment of pieces on the board
+#define BOARD_DEFAULT_CONFIG \
+{\
+    {2,3,4,5,6,4,3,2}\
+    {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1}\
+    {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0}\
+    {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0}\
+    {0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0}\
+    {1,1,1,1,1,1,1,1}\
+    {2,3,4,5,6,4,3,2}\
+}
+
+// initializes the board with the default configuration of pieces
+bool init_board();
+
+#endif // CHESS_H
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/src/util.h b/src/util.h
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..1aa2989
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/util.h
@@ -0,0 +1,4 @@
+#ifndef UTIL_H
+#define UTIL_H
+
+#endif // UTIL_H
\ No newline at end of file