Chess Notation

To record a game for future enjoyment and reference, and to play through the great games of chess history, it is necessary to learn a new language: chess notation.

The system of chess notation described below, which is in use all over the globe, is called algebraic notation.

To review, here are the abbreviations for the pieces:
King = K
Queen = Q
Rook = R
Bishop = B
Knight = N
There is no abbreviation for the Pawn.
Here is the board, with letters designating the files and numbers designating the ranks:

	8
	7
	6
	5
	4
	3
	2
	1
		a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

As you can see, the combination of the letters and the numbers give us a coordinate system, which we can use to pinpoint any square on the board, no matter which side we view it from. For example, the White King is on the square e1, while the Black King is on the square e8, and so on. Piece letters belong in upper case, square letters in lower case.

A move is described by listing the piece, the departure square, and the arrival square, as shown in the diagram below.

	8
	7
	6
	5
	4
	3
	2
	1
		a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Ambiguities are resolved by indicating the rank or file the piece came from (whichever is unique - if both are unique, use the letter of the file). In the above example, if the Rook had moved from a1 to h1 it would be recorded as Rh1. If the Pawn had moved from e7 to e5 it would be recorded as e5. A capture is described in the same way, with the addition of an "x." If, in this example, the Rook had captured the Black Knight on a8, it would have been written Rxa8. A Pawn capture uses the "x" and the file the Pawn started from: fxe5, for example, would be used to denote the White Pawn above capturing the Black Pawn upon its move to e5.

Castling kingside (also called short castling) is indicated O-O, and castling queenside (also called long castling) is O-O-O. Check is noted by adding a "+" at the end of a move, like Ra8+. Checkmate is noted by adding two plusses "++", like Ra8++. Capturing en passant is indicated the same way as a normal Pawn capture, with the addition of the abbreviation "ep" at the end of the move. Pawn promotion uses the "=" sign. For example, a Pawn on e7 being promoted to a Queen would be written e8=Q.

When reading game scores or annotated games (games with comments and analysis), one will often run into the use of "?" and "!", such as 20. Rd8? or 30...Bxh3! This is to indicate the relative strength or weakness of a given move, in the mind of the writer. A "?" indicates a weak move or mistake. A "!" indicates an excellent move, usually one that is unexpected and requires deep analysis to see why it works. Some writers will use "?" and "!" additively, thus 20. Rd8?? would be a horrible move, and 30...Bxh3!! would be a truly inspired move. Since this can quickly get out of hand, restraint is required by the writer, and one usually never sees more than two punctuation marks.

Another way the "?" and "!" can be used is to combine them, such as 20. Rd8?! or 30...Bxh3!?. The meaning of this depends on which punctuation mark comes first. "?!" is often used to mean a questionable move, but not an outright mistake. The combination "!?" is often used to indicate surprise at a particular move, and often also to mean that move is speculative and risky, but probably good (which is why the "!" goes first).

None of this punctuation (?, !, ?!, and !?) is required, and is used primarily as a diagnostic or learning tool, and to allow a little room for expression in game scores or analysis. It is included here so you can make sense of it when you see it in other people's game scores or analyses. Do not include these marks when simply taking down the score of a game or sending your reply to someone in a game. These are reserved for analysis only, which occurs after the game is over.

Bughouse Notation

This section on bughouse notation is unofficial, but it is very widely used. If you see any other types of bughouse notation anywhere, please inform us.

Bughouse Chess uses the same type of notation as international chess, with one exception: In bughouse chess, you can "plonk" pieces down directly, and this is represented by an @. So for example, a Queen plonked on b7 for a mate would be shown as Q@b7++.

Jump to the Openings page to learn some basic chess opening moves. Of course, most of them require your new-found knowledge of chess notation.