How to make a chess board in less
than a minute with Emmet and CSS

Result:

Part 1.

First off, write out the divs. You can use Emmet (in Codepen as standard, and at home if you install it) and write the following, then press tab

.board>div.square_row*8>.square*8

Part 2.

Next up, two normal bits of CSS, and two magic bits of CSS.

/* Normal bits */
.square_row{
  overflow:hidden;
}

.square{
  width:40px;
  height:40px;
  float:left;
  background:#000;
}

/* Magic awesome bits */
.square_row:nth-child(odd) .square:nth-child(odd){
  background:#eaeaea;
}

.square_row:nth-child(even) .square:nth-child(even){
  background:#eaeaea;
}

So, basically, on all the odd rows, make the odd squares lighter, and on all the even rows, make the even squares lighter.

Done.

djave from eightarms.co.uk