Resident Evil 2 Chess Pieces Puzzle Solution And Locations

Navigating the dark and perilous sewers in Resident Evil 2 requires players to solve one of the most iconic brain teasers in survival horror history. The Monitor Room puzzle requires tracking down three missing electronic plugs shaped like chess pieces to unlock a massive security door. Successfully conquering this trial allows you to advance further into the subterranean complex and rescue your companion.
Where to Find All Missing Chess Plugs
Before you can begin arranging the plugs on the wall panel, you must venture out into the dangerous sewer tunnels to locate the missing pieces. The Pawn, Knight, and Bishop plugs are already situated inside the Monitor Room panels when you first arrive. However, the King, Queen, and Rook plugs are scattered across specialized zones overrun by terrifying mutated monsters.
To secure the King and Queen plugs, you must navigate the complex pathways of the Supplies Storage Area located in the Lower Sewers. Reaching this area requires careful ammunition management as multiple G-Complex creatures guard the murky waters along the way. Once inside, solving a localized gate maze allows you to pull both key items from their respective wall terminals.
The elusive Rook plug is located in the Upper Sewers near the massive Treatment Facility infrastructure. Players must utilize the Sewer Key to access the shortcut bridge or take the Workroom lift to reach the correct corridor. Simply pull the electronic plug from the wall socket once you spot it next to the tool desk.
Understanding the Puzzle Clues
Once all six chess pieces are inside your inventory, return to the Monitor Room to begin analyzing the riddle left behind on the wall. The text hints clarify that certain pieces must stand next to each other while others cannot face specific wall sides. Paying close attention to these explicit rules prevents unnecessary back-and-forth guessing during configuration.
It is important to note that the solution changes slightly depending on whether you are playing the standard First Playthrough or the alternative Second Playthrough. The physical locations of the items remain identical across both scenarios, but the internal logic of the terminal board shifts. Checking your current campaign status ensures you apply the correct structural orientation to the wall panels.
First Playthrough Board Solution
For the standard campaign run, stand facing the central locked security door and divide the terminals into a left wall and a right wall. On the left wall, place the Bishop plug into the far left slot closest to the corner. Next, insert the Rook plug into the middle slot and finish the row by putting the Knight plug on the right.
Turn around to face the opposite right-hand wall to complete the final sequence of the security puzzle. Place the Pawn plug into the leftmost terminal to match the structural blueprint guidelines. Follow this by sliding the Queen plug into the center terminal and the King plug into the remaining right-hand slot.
Second Playthrough Board Solution
If you are tackling the more difficult alternative scenario, the layout requirements shift to challenge your logical deduction skills. On the left wall panel, you must place the Queen plug into the far left terminal slot. Position the Bishop plug directly in the middle and place the King plug into the rightmost terminal.
Conclude the puzzle sequence by turning your attention back to the right-hand wall panel configurations. Insert the Knight plug into the leftmost terminal slot to establish the new baseline connection. Finish the sequence by placing the Rook plug in the center and the standard Pawn plug into the final right-hand terminal.