Trying to make an "Age of Empires"

Hi Everyone

I'm Trying to make an "Age of Empires" with C/C++ and SDL.

I'm actually learning SDL and trying to implement it to my possible game. My first trouble is if it's possible to make the map just like them do, I explain, now I know how to make a map but like the Mario game. Do anyone know if it's possible to do like chess games?

I hope you can help me...