This came as a solution for a jlabel on top of the jpanel

I didnt get the question can you clarify it ?

error message can't resolve method   jLabel = JLabel();

It is because it should be like :

jLabel = new JLabel();

here it is :

import java.awt.event.*;
import java.util.*;
import javax.swing.*;

public class MyClass4 extends JPanel {

  JLabel jLabel1;  
  ArrayList myArrayList = new ArrayList();

public MyClass4() {

     // Call it like this . . .
    jLabel = new JLabel();

    setLayout(new GridLayout(0,3)); // Setting MY layout...
 
    add(jLabel1);  
    jLabel1.setText("Defensive Moves");
    setBackground(Color.white);

    looprow:
    for (int row=0; row<20; row++) {
    for(int col=0; col<3; col++) {
    int n=(20*col+row+1);
    if (n>50) break looprow;
    JCheckBox check = new JCheckBox("" + n);

    myArrayList.add(check);
    add(check);
    }
    }
}
}

you're also mixing names, jLabel and jLabel1.