Navigating through the murky depths of the Raccoon City Sewers in the Resident Evil 2 remake culminates in one of the game's most memorable brainteasers: the Monitor Room chess plug puzzle. To rescue your companion and open the sealed door leading deeper into the facility, players must gather six distinct chess pieces scattered across dangerous corridors. Understanding where each plug is located and how to decode the wall clues ensures you can solve this obstacle quickly without wasting valuable ammunition.
Where to Find All Six Chess Plugs
Three of the required pieces—the Pawn, Knight, and Bishop plugs—are already sitting inside the sockets of the Monitor Room when you first arrive. The remaining items require exploration, starting with the Rook plug located near the Workroom lift corridor after using the Sewer Key. Meanwhile, both the King and Queen plugs are hidden inside the Supplies Storage Room, requiring a multi-step door puzzle to retrieve both items.
First Scenario (A Run) Placement Solution
When playing the primary campaign scenario, the clues posted on the Monitor Room wall dictate a specific arrangement for both sides of the room. On the left wall starting from the far end, players must insert the Knight, Rook, and Bishop plugs in exact order. On the right wall facing them, place the King, Queen, and Pawn plugs starting from the far socket to complete the circuit and unbolt the doorway.
Second Scenario (B Run) Placement Solution
If you are playing through a 2nd Run playthrough, the riddle text changes significantly and requires a completely updated configuration. For the left wall starting from the furthest socket, insert the King, Bishop, and Queen plugs sequentially. On the right wall starting from the far end, place the Knight, Rook, and Pawn plugs to trigger the locking mechanism.
Tips for Managing Sewer Navigation and Inventory
Before attempting to retrieve the final plugs, clear out your inventory to ensure you have enough room for key items and weapons. Navigating back and forth through the Lower Waterway exposes you to dangerous G-Adult encounters, so bringing defense items or high-powered ammo is strongly recommended. Once all six plugs are inserted in their correct positions, the door will unlock, allowing immediate progression to the next chapter.
