What is Algebraic Notation?
Chess Terms : Algebraic Notation Explained
Algebraic Notation
Algebraic Notation is a method used to record and describe the moves in a game of chess. It is a standard notation system recognized internationally, where each square on the chessboard is identified with a unique pair of a letter from 'a' to 'h' and a number from '1' to '8'. The pieces are identified by their initials, with the exception of the knight which is 'N' in order to avoid confusion with the king ('K'😉. In a recorded move, the piece's initial is followed by the target square's reference. For example, 'Be5' would mean the bishop moved to square 'e5'. See Annotation for recording comments and analysis.



Examples


Opening moves
1. e4 e5 (White moves the pawn to e4, Black responds by moving the pawn to e5)
Knight development
2. Nf3 Nc6 (White moves the knight to f3, Black moves the knight to c6)
Bishop development
3. Bb5 a6 (White develops the bishop to b5, Black responds by moving the pawn to a6)
Castling
- Kingside castling for White: O-O
- Queenside castling for White: O-O-O
- Kingside castling for Black: O-O
- Queenside castling for Black: O-O-O
Pawn capture
4. dxe5 (White pawn on d4 captures on e5)
Piece capture
5. Nxe5 (White knight captures on e5)
Check
6. Qd1+ (White queen moves to d1, delivering check)
Checkmate
7. Qh5# (White queen moves to h5, delivering checkmate)
Promotion
8. e8=Q (White pawn moves to e8 and promotes to a queen)
Special Notations
- Good move: Nf3! (Knight to f3, good move)
- Mistake: Qd4? (Queen to d4, a mistake)