NumPy: Create a 8x8 matrix and fill it with a checkerboard pattern

Last update on August 29 2025 12:46:18 (UTC/GMT +8 hours)

8x8 Checkerboard Pattern

Write a NumPy program to create an 8x8 matrix and fill it with a checkerboard pattern.

Sample Solution:

Python Code:

# Importing the NumPy library with an alias 'np'
import numpy as np

# Creating a 3x3 NumPy array filled with ones
x = np.ones((3, 3))

# Printing a message indicating the checkerboard pattern
print("Checkerboard pattern:")

# Creating an 8x8 NumPy array filled with zeros and setting alternate elements to 1 to create a checkerboard pattern
x = np.zeros((8, 8), dtype=int)
x[1::2, ::2] = 1  # Setting alternate rows starting from the second row with alternate columns to 1
x[::2, 1::2] = 1  # Setting alternate rows starting from the first row with alternate columns to 1

# Printing the resulting checkerboard pattern array
print(x)

Sample Output:

Checkerboard pattern:                                                   
[[0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1]                                                      
 [1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0]                                                      
 [0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1]                                                      
 [1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0]                                                      
 [0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1]                                                      
 [1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0]                                                      
 [0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1]                                                      
 [1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0]]

Explanation:

In the above code –

x = np.ones((3,3)): Creates a 3x3 NumPy array filled with ones. However, this line is not relevant to the final output and can be ignored.

x = np.zeros((8,8),dtype=int): Creates an 8x8 NumPy array filled with zeros, with an integer data type.

x[1::2,::2] = 1: Assigns the value 1 to every other element in every other row, starting from the second row (index 1).

x[::2,1::2] = 1: Assigns the value 1 to every other element in every other column, starting from the second column (index 1).

print(x): Prints the 8x8 NumPy array.

For more Practice: Solve these Related Problems:

Create an 8x8 checkerboard pattern using modulo operations on the indices.
Generate a checkerboard pattern with custom alternating values and verify the pattern programmatically.
Implement the checkerboard without using any loops by leveraging NumPy’s indexing features.
Extend the checkerboard pattern function to accept any even dimensions and custom cell values.

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