What "file" means in chess

A file refers to a vertical column on the chessboard, consisting of eight squares. There are eight files in total, labeled a through h, from left to right, from White's perspective. Files are an important aspect of chess strategy as they can be used to control or attack specific areas of the board. For example, a player may target a specific file with their pawns or pieces to gain control over a particular square or to create threats against their opponent's pieces.