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Chess shorthand

Chess shorthand

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Does anyone else have problems with the chess notation?
I know what it all means, R for rook, x denoting a capture and so on, but for some reason, when I look at a sequence written in this notation, my mind just goes 'bleh' and refuses to comprehend the whole.

It's improved a little if I actually have a board to work through the moves, but there's still a certain 'bleh' factor.

Makes learning about chess hard 🙁

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Originally posted by jimmyb270
Does anyone else have problems with the chess notation?
I know what it all means, R for rook, x denoting a capture and so on, but for some reason, when I look at a sequence written in this notation, my mind just goes 'bleh' and refuses to comprehend the whole.

It's improved a little if I actually have a board to work through the moves, but there's still a certain 'bleh' factor.

Makes learning about chess hard 🙁
Unfortunately it's actually easier to learn than the old system of notation. I'm not even going to attempt to explain it, but if you ever stumble across it in old book or magazine you'll see what I mean.

Notation is meant to be used with a real board, an online "analysis" board, or a chess engine that allows you to make the moves using their software.

You shouldn't be trying to comprehend and follow a line of chess moves in a book with nothing more than your memory. You're doing the right thing by playing them out over a board.

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After a while of practice you should be able to though follow opening notation in your memory.

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Originally posted by Akashic
After a while of practice you should be able to though follow opening notation in your memory.
To be honest, I still prefer the P-K4 notation, but that's what I grew up with. I still think it's more descriptive and less "geographical". But I'm a lone voice ....🙁

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Originally posted by jimmyb270
Does anyone else have problems with the chess notation?
I know what it all means, R for rook, x denoting a capture and so on, but for some reason, when I look at a sequence written in this notation, my mind just goes 'bleh' and refuses to comprehend the whole.

It's improved a little if I actually have a board to work through the moves, but there's still a certain 'bleh' factor.

Makes learning about chess hard 🙁
You can change your board settings to include coordinates, by clicking in "my settings" followed by "my board settings". This might make it marginally easier to understand.

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Originally posted by buffalobill
To be honest, I still prefer the P-K4 notation, but that's what I grew up with. I still think it's more descriptive and less "geographical". But I'm a lone voice ....🙁
No, you're not. I think the old notation is a little more intuitive than the clinical new style.

Anyway, I still use the old style as, like you, I grew up with it...

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I can read the algebraic notation with my eyes closed (well not quite but you get my point) thanks to plenty of reading over games and some blindfold games now and then. However as soon as every move includes the moved from square I get confused. I have no clue why.