I'm new to baking but would like to make my partner a cake that is a checkered flag. Can anyone tell me the easiest way to make the checkered icing pattern? Do I have to use fondant?

I think you could make it out of BC is you wanted to, but would probably be easier to make little squares out of fondant and then just checker them onto the cake.

You can get a checkered impression mat (I think Duff has one at Michaels) and paint with alcohol and gel color or use edible markers. I think that is the simplest way....

Fondant would be much easier. I just cut squares and applied them with a little water.
http://cakecentral.com/gallery/1999721/hot-wheels-cake