> Is it called 324 because there are 324 possible starting positions? Yes, each side has 18 possible setups. The bishops have 3 x 2 possible opposite-color pla

> Is it called 324 because there are 324 possible starting positions? Yes, each side has 18 possible setups. The bishops have 3 x 2 possible opposite-color placements among the 5 squares, and then the queen and 2 knights have 3 ways to occupy the remaining 3 squares. 18 x 18 = 324.