Notation For Chess Primer

Algebraic Chess Notation:
Reading and Writing Chess Moves

by Steven Craig Miller
Chess notation is a code that describes chess moves and positions. Learning chess notation is important for
three reasons. (1) Keeping score (recording moves) with chess notation will aid you in settling questions and
disagreements that may come up during a game (especially for tournament games). (2) Keeping score will allow
you to study your game afterwards (perhaps with a stronger player who can help you better understand how to
play chess). (3) Knowing how to read chess notation will allow you to read and study the games of others.
The most common and easiest type of chess notation is algebraic. Older chess books used a descriptive chess notation. But since 1981, the World Chess Federation (FIDE) has recognized only algebraic notation. And today,
the vast majority of chess publishers publish only in algebraic notation.
(Blacks Side of the Board)
w________w
rhb1kgn4]
0p0p0p0p]
wdwdwdwd]
dwdsdwdw]
wdwdsdwd]
dwdwdwdw]
P)P)P)P)]
$NGQIBHR]
ww
a8
b8
c8
d8
e8
f8
g8
h8
a7
b7
c7
d7
e7
f7
g7
h7
a6
b6
c6
d6
e6
f6
g6
h6
a5
b5
c5
d5
e5
f5
g5
h5
a4
b4
c4
d4
e4
f4
g4
h4
a3
b3
c3
d3
e3
f3
g3
h3
a2
b2
c2
d2
e2
f2
g2
h2
a1
b1
c1
d1
e1
f1
g1
h1
(Whites Side of the Board)
Grid-reference System for Location

Algebraic notation is a simple grid-reference system for recording chess moves. Each square on the board is
identified by a combination of a lowercase letter and a number. The files (vertical columns) are lettered a to h
from left to right as seen from Whites side of the board (they are lettered from h to a from left to right as seen
from Blacks side of the board). The ranks (horizontal rows) are numbered 1 to 8 starting with the rank closest
to Whites edge of the board.
How to Write Down Pawn Moves
e4
exd5
e8=Q
For pawn moves, one only needs to write down the new location using lowercase letters, for example: e4. For
pawn captures, one writes the file from which the pawn originated, x for capture, and then its new location
Copyright 2002 Steven Craig Miller
Copying and distribution of this article is permitted for noncommercial purposes.
ACN: Reading & Writing Chess Moves by Steven Craig Miller
Page 2
(using all lowercase letters). For example, if a pawn located at e4 captures a pawn located at d5, one would
write: exd5. If a pawn moves to e8 and promotes to a queen, one would write: e8=Q.
How to Write Down Piece Moves
Nf3
Nbd7
Nxg5
To write a move, one needs to write the abbreviation for the piece moved using an uppercase letter, followed
by the location, to where the piece was moved, using a lowercase letter and number. The standard abbreviations for pieces are: K = king, Q = queen, B = bishop, N = knight, and R= rook. Please note that the abbreviation for a knight is N and not K, nor Kt (this is to avoid confusion with K for king). For example,
to indicate that a knight was moved to f3, one would write: Nf3 (the N is uppercase, and the f is lowercase). It greatly helps readability if one consistently uses uppercase letters for pieces and lowercase letters to
indicate files.
If there are two similar pieces which could move to the same square, one adds the distinguishing file or rank.
For example, if one has a knight on b8 and a knight on f6, both could move to d7. If one moves the knight at
b8 to d7, one would write: Nbd7 (which means the knight on the b-file moved to d7). This is usually a problem only for knights and rooks. When you move a knight or rook, check to see if your other knight/rook could
move to the same square. If so, add clarification to your notation.
If a knight captures a piece located at g5, one would write Nxg5. If there were two knights which could capture
on g5 and the capturing knight was located on f3, one would write: Nfxg5 (which means the knight on the ffile captured at g5).
Check and Checkmate
Bxf7+
Bxf7#
If a move puts the opponents king in check, the plus sign (+) can be added. For example, if a bishop on c4
captures a pawn on f7 and puts the opponents king in check, the move can be written: Bxf7+ (which means
a bishop captured on f7 and gave check). If a move delivers checkmate, the octothorp, also known as
number sign or pound sign, (#) can be added, for example, Bxf7# (which means a bishop captured on
f7 and gave mate).
Castling
0-0
0-0-0
Kingside castling is written as 0-0, and queenside castling is written as 0-0-0.
Result
1-0
0-1
To indicate the result of a game you may add to your scoresheet one of the following: 1-0 means that White
won, - means that the game was drawn, and 0-1 means that Black won.

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Algebraic Chess Notation:

Reading and Writing Chess Moves

(Whites Side of the Board)

Grid-reference System for Location

How to Write Down Pawn Moves

ACN: Reading & Writing Chess Moves by Steven Craig Miller

How to Write Down Piece Moves

Check and Checkmate

Kingside castling is written as 0-0, and queenside castling is written as 0-0-0.

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