Algebraic Notation
The standard method for recording chess moves, adopted by FIDE in 1981.
Algebraic Notation
The standard method for recording chess moves, adopted by FIDE in 1981.
Algebraic notation is the standard method for recording chess moves. It was adopted by FIDE in 1981 and is used in all official publications.
Each square is identified by a file letter (a to h, from White's left to right) and a rank number (1 to 8, from White's side). The light square in the near-right corner of each player is always h1 from White's perspective and a8 from Black's.
Each piece is identified by an uppercase letter: K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, N for knight. Pawns have no letter — a pawn move is written with the destination square alone, for example e4.
Writing a move
A move is normally written as the piece letter followed by the destination square: Nf3, Bb5, Qd2. Captures are shown with an x: Nxe5, Bxc6. A pawn capture includes the file of origin: exd5, gxf6. Castling is written 0-0 for kingside and 0-0-0 for queenside. Check is marked with +, checkmate with #. Pawn promotion is written with = and the new piece letter: e8=Q.
When two pieces of the same type could reach the same square, the move is disambiguated by the file of origin, the rank of origin, or both: Nbd2, R1e2, Qh4e1.
Annotation symbols
The standard symbols used when analysing a game are:
! a strong move
!! a brilliant move
? a weak move
?? a blunder
!? an interesting but uncertain move
?! a dubious move
The full game is recorded as a numbered sequence: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, and so on. This is the form used in the PGN viewer and in every printed chess publication.