Navigating the damp, dangerous sewers in the Resident Evil 2 remake presents one of the game's most memorable challenges: the Monitor Room chess plug puzzle. Unlocking the main door requires players to track down missing electronic chess pieces spread across different sub-areas of the facility. Understanding where to locate each plug and how to sequence them correctly ensures a swift escape toward the climax of the campaign.
Locating the Missing Chess Plugs
When you first arrive in the Monitor Room, three plugs—the Pawn, Bishop, and Knight—are already present in the sockets. To complete the set, you must explore the surrounding sewer corridors to retrieve the King, Queen, and Rook plugs. The King and Queen plugs are hidden inside the Supplies Storage Room, where you must complete a mini-puzzle involving locked gates.
The Rook plug is located near the Workroom Lift, plugged into a wall socket across from the upper corridor. Taking this plug allows you to carry all six required pieces back to the central hub. Be careful when navigating these dark tunnels, as dangerous G-Adult mutants inhabit the lower waterways.
First Scenario Solution
Once all six chess plugs are gathered in your inventory, you can arrange them according to the riddle posted on the wall. For the first scenario, look at the wall panels relative to the locked door at the far end of the room. Placing the plugs in the precise configuration will complete the circuit instantly.
On the left wall, place the Knight, Rook, and Bishop starting from the far end nearest the door. On the right wall, insert the King, Queen, and Pawn starting from the same far end. Double-check that each piece matches its socket location to trigger the mechanism.
Second Run Solution
Players jumping into the 2nd Run campaign will face a different set of clues for the chess puzzle. While the physical locations of the plugs remain largely similar, the correct placement on the wall panels changes entirely. Memorizing the altered solution saves precious time during speedruns or high-difficulty playthroughs.
For Scenario B, place the King, Bishop, and Queen along the left wall starting from the far end. On the right wall, place the Knight, Rook, and Pawn starting from the far end. Once all plugs are correctly positioned, the heavy door will unlock, granting access to the power room.
Tips for Efficient Puzzle Solving
Managing inventory space is crucial when collecting the heavy chess plugs throughout the sewer region. Try clearing out non-essential weapons or items into the Monitor Room storage box before setting out. This ensures you have ample room to carry the King, Queen, and Rook without backtracking.
Additionally, remember to grab the sewer key to unlock shortcuts between major areas. Taking advantage of these cleared paths minimizes encounters with respawning enemies. With all six plugs placed in order, you can safely proceed to rescue Ada or Sherry.
