#12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
 for$i(1..8){push@a,$_.$i for"a".."h"}
 for$i(1..8){push@a,map$_.$i,"a".."h"}

# Hrm, only close.
# And for a completely different approach:

#12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
 @a=("a".."h")x8;$_.=(1+int$i++/8)for @a;
 @a=("a".."h")x8;$a[$_].=1+int$_/8for 0..$#a;

# Trying a combination..

#12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
 push@a,$_.(1+int$i++/8)for(("a".."h")x8);

# I'm on to something..

#12345678901234567890123456789012345678901234567
 $_.=1+int$i++/8for @a=("a".."h")x8;

# Bah! :)
# Assuming 'use integer;' it's a winner though:

#12345678901234567890123456789012
 $_.=1+$i++/8for @a=("a".."h")x8;

# 32 characters. But.. :/