Algebraic notation (chess)

Algebraic notation (or AN) is a method for recording and describing the moves in a game of chess. It is based on a system of coordinates to
uniquely identify each square on the chessboard. It is now standard among all chess organizations and most books, magazines, and newspapers. In
English-speaking countries, the parallel method ofdescriptive notation was generally used in chess publications until about 1980. Some older players
still use descriptive notation, but it is no longer recognized byFIDE.

Algebraic notation exists in various forms and languages and is based on a system developed by Philipp Stamma. Stamma used the modern names of
the squares, but he used p for pawn moves and the original file of a piece (a through h) instead of the initial letter of the piece name.[1] This article
describes standard algebraic notation(SAN) required by FIDE.

Contents
Naming the squares
Naming the pieces Algebraic notation

Notation for moves

Captures
Disambiguating moves
Pawn promotion
Draw offer
Castling
Check
Checkmate
End of game
Notation for a series of moves
History
Piece names in various languages
Kindred notations
Figurine algebraic notation
Long algebraic notation
ICCF numeric notation
PGN for computer storage
Annotation symbols
See also
References
External links

Naming the squares

Each square of the chessboard is identified by a unique coordinate pair—a letter and a number. The vertical columns of squares, called files, are labeled a through h from White's left (the queenside) to
right (the kingside). The horizontal rows of squares, called ranks, are numbered 1 to 8 starting from White's side of the board. Thus each square has a unique identification of file letter followed by rank
number. (For example, White's king starts the game on square e1; Black's knight on b8 can move to open squares a6 or c6.)

Naming the pieces

Each piece type (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter. English-speaking players use the letters K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight (since K is already
used). S (from the German Springer) was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation and is still used in some chess problems (where N stands for the nightrider, a popular fairy chess
piece).

Players who speak other languages may employ different letters, for example, French-speaking players use F for bishop (from fou). In chess literature, especially that intended for an international
audience, the language-specific letters are often replaced by universal icons for the pieces, for example, Nf3 is represented ♘
as f3. This style is known asfigurine algebraic notation.

Pawns are not identified by uppercase letters, but rather by the absence of one. Distinguishing between pawns is not necessary for recording moves, since only one pawn can move to a given square.
(Pawn captures are an exception and indicated differently as explained below.)

Notation for moves

Each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's uppercase letter, plus the coordinate of the destination square. For example, Be5 (move a bishop to e5), Nf3 (move a knight to f3). For pawn moves, a
letter indicating pawn is not used, only the destination square is given. For example,
c5 (move a pawn to c5).

Captures
When a piece makes a capture, an "x" is inserted immediately before the destination square. For example, Bxe5 (bishop captures the piece on e5). When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the
pawn departed is used to identify the pawn. For example, exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the piece on d5). A colon (:) is sometimes used instead of "x", either in the same place the "x" would go
(B:e5) or at the end (Be5:).

En passant captures are indicated by specifying the capturing pawn's file of departure, the "x", the destination square (not the square of the captured pawn), and (optionally) thefix
suf"e.p." indicating the
capture was en passant.[2] For example, exd6e.p.

Some texts, such as the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, omit any indication that a capture has been made. (For example, Be5 instead of Bxe5; ed6 instead of exd6 or exd6e.p.) When it is
unambiguous to do so, a pawn capture is sometimes described by specifying only the files involvedexd
( or ed). These shortened forms are sometimes calledminimal or abbreviated algebraic notation.
Disambiguating moves
When two (or more) identical pieces can move to the same square, the moving piece is uniquely identified by specifying the piece's letter
, followed by (in descending order of preference):

1. the file of departure (if they differ); or

2. the rank of departure (if the files are the same but the ranks dif fer); or
3. both the file and rank (if neither alone is sufficient to identify the piece—which occurs only in rare cases where one or more pawns have
promoted, resulting in a player having
three or more identical pieces able to reach the same square).
For example, with knights on g1 and d2, either of which might move to f3, the move is specified as Ngf3 or Ndf3, as appropriate. With knights on g5 and g1, the moves are N5f3 or N1f3. As above, an
"x" can be inserted to indicate a capture, for example:N5xf3. Another example: two rooks on d3 and h5, either one of which may move to d5. If the rook on d3 moves to d5, it is possible to disambiguate
with either Rdd5 or R3d5, but the file takes precedence over the rank, soRdd5 is correct. (And likewise if the move is a capture,Rdxd5 is correct.)

Pawn promotion
When a pawn moves to the last rank and promotes, the piece promoted to is indicated at the end of the move notation, for example: e8Q (promoting to queen). Sometimes an equals sign or parentheses
are used: e8=Q or e8(Q), but neither format is aFIDE standard. In Portable Game Notation(PGN), pawn promotion is always indicated using the equals sign formate8=Q).
(

In older books, pawn promotions can be found using a forward slash:e8/Q.

Draw offer
In FIDE Laws of Chess,[3] an equals sign with parentheses, "(=)", is used to write the of [4]
fer of a draw on the score sheet next to a move, but this is not part of algebraic notation.

Castling
Castling is indicated by the special notations0-0 (for kingside castling) and 0-0-0 (queenside castling).

While the FIDE Handbook, appendix C.13[5] uses the digit zero (0-0 and 0-0-0), PGN requires the uppercase letterO (O-O and O-O-O).

Check
A move that places the opponent's king in check usually has the symbol "+" appended. Sometimes a dagger ( † ) or the abbreviation "ch" is used as an alternate to the + symbol. Double check is
commonly indicated the same as check, but is sometimes represented specially as "dbl ch", or in older books as "++". Some publications indicate a discovered check with an abbreviation such as "dis
ch". The Encyclopedia of Chess Openingsomits any indication of check.

Checkmate
Checkmate at the completion of moves can be represented by the symbol "# ". (Some use "++" instead, but the USCF recommends "# ".) The word mate is commonly used instead. Occasionally the
double dagger (‡) is seen. A checkmate is represented by "≠" (the not equal sign) in the macOS chess application. In Russia and ex-USSR, where captures are indicated by ":", checkmate can also be
represented by "X", "x", or "×".

End of game
The notation 1–0 at the completion of moves indicates that White won,0–1 indicates that Black won, and½–½ indicates a draw.

Often there is no indication regarding how a player won or lost (other than checkmate, see above), so simply 1–0 or 0–1 may be written to show that one player resigned or lost due to time control.
Sometimes direct information is given by the words "White resigns" or "Black resigns", but this is not considered part of the notation, rather a return to the surrounding narrative text.

Notation for a series of moves

A game or series of moves is generally written in one of two ways.

In two columns, as White/Black pairs, preceded by the move number and a period:
a b c d e f g h
1. e4 e5
8 8
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6 7 7

Horizontally: 6 6

5 5
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6
4 4
Moves may be interspersed with commentary annotations).
( When the game score resumes with a Black move, anellipsis (...) fills the position of the
3 3
White move, for example:
2 2
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 1 1
a b c d e f g h
White attacks the black e-pawn.
Position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6
2... Nc6

Black defends and develops simultaneously.

3. Bb5

White plays the Ruy Lopez.

3... a6

Black elects Morphy's Defence.

History
Descriptive notation was usual in the Middle Ages in Europe. However, a form of algebraic chess notation, that seems to have been borrowed from Muslim chess, appeared in Europe in a 12th-century
manuscript, referred to as MS. Paris Fr. 1173 (PP.). The files run from a to h, just as they do in the current standard algebraic notation. The ranks, however, are also designated by letters, with the
. The ranks are lettered in reverse – from the 7th to the 1st: k, l, m, n, o, p, [6]
exception of the 8th rank which is distinct because it has no letter q.

Jacob Köbel's Schachzabel Spiel of 1520.[7]

Another system of notation using only letters appears in a book of Mediaeval chess, Rechenmeister

Algebraic notation is described in 1847 by Howard Staunton in his book The Chess-Player's Handbook. Staunton credits the idea to German authors, and in particular to "Alexandre, Jaenisch and the
'Handbuch.' "[8]

Chess diagram found in a French Chess diagram from Jacob Köbel's Chess diagram showing algebraic
manuscript dated 1173 1520 German book about Mediæval notation in Howard Staunton's The
chess, Schachzabel Spiel Chess-Player's Handbook

Piece names in various languages

The table contains names for all the pieces as well as the words for chess, check, and checkmate in several languages.[9] NB: alfil is a chess-specific loanword from Arabic which has lost its original
meaning of "elephant" in the European languages that use it for the piece called
bishop in English.
 Language King Queen Rook Bishop Knight Pawn Chess Check Checkmate

figurine ♔♚ ♕♛ ♖♜ ♗♝ ♘♞ ♙♟ ... +
K Koning D Dame T Toring L Loper R Ruiter
Afrikaans (P) Pion Skaak Skaak
(king) (lady) (tower) (runner) (rider)
Msh
M Mbreti Ku Kulla O Oficeri Ka Kali (U) Ushtari
Albanian Mbretëresha Shahu Shah
(king) (tower) (officer) (horse) (soldier)
(queen)
‫ﻣﻠ ِﻚ‬
َ ‫م‬ ‫ﻃﺎﺑﻴﺔ‬/‫ر رخ‬ ‫ﻋﺴﻜﺮي‬/‫ب ﺑﻴﺪق‬ ‫ﻣﻠ ِﻚ‬
َ ‫ﻛ ِﺶ‬
‫و وزﻳﺮ‬ ‫ف ﻓﻴﻞ‬ ‫ح ﺣﺼﺎن‬ ‫ﺷﻄﺮﻧﺞ‬
Arabic (malik, (rukhkh, fortress) (baidaq, pawn) / (`askarī, (kish
(wazïr, vizier) (fīl, elephant) (ħiṣān, horse) (shaṭranj)
king) / (ṭābiya, castle) soldier) malik)
Շախմատ
Ա Արքա Թ Թագուհի
Ն Նավակ Փ Փիղ Ձ Ձի Զ Զինվոր (Ճատրակ) Շախ
Armenian (A Ark῾a, (T T῾agowhi,
(N Navak, ship) (P P῾ił, elephant) (Dz Ji, horse) (Z Zinvor, soldier) Šaxmat (Šax)
king) queen)
(Čatrak)
E Erregea G Gaztelua Z Zalduna
Basque D Dama (lady) A Alfila (P) Peoia (pawn) Xake Xake
(king) (castle) (knight)
Belarusian К кароль Вз візыр Лд ладзьдзя А афіцэр В вершнік (Л) латнік
Шахматы Шах
(Taraškievica) (king) (vizier) (rook) (officer) (rider) (pawn)

R রাজা Mম ী N নৗকা H গজ/হািত G ঘাড়া B বাড়া/ সন / পয়াদা িকি

Bengali দাবা (daba)
(Raja) (Montri) (Nouka) (Goj)/(Hati) (Ghora) (Bora)/(Sainya)/(Peyada) (kisti)
Ц цар Д дама Т топ О офицер К кон
Bulgarian (П) пешка Шахмат/Шах Шах
(king) (lady) (cannon) (officer) (horse)
D dama/reina T torre C cavall
Catalan R rei A alfil (P) peó Escacs Escac/Xec
(lady)/(queen) (tower) (horse)

K王
Q后 R車 B象 N馬 (P) 兵 國際象棋 將軍
Chinese (wáng,
(hòu, queen) (jū, chariot) (xiàng, elephant) (mǎ, horse) (bīng, soldier) (guójì xiàngqí) (jiāngjūn)
king)
K král D dáma V věž S střelec J jezdec (P) pěšec
Czech Šachy Šach
(king) (lady) (tower) (shooter) (rider) (foot soldier)
K konge D dronning T tårn L løber S springer (B) bonde
Danish Skak Skak
(king) (queen) (tower) (runner) (jumper) (peasant)
K koning D dame/koningin T toren/kasteel L loper/raadsheer P paard
Dutch (pi) pion Schaken Schaak Mat/Schaa
(king) (lady)/(queen) (tower)/(castle) (runner)/(counsellor) (horse)

English[10] K king Q queen R rook, castle B bishop N/Kt knight (P) pawn Chess Check Checkmate/

R reĝo D damo T turo K kuriero Ĉ ĉevalo

Esperanto (P) peono Ŝako Ŝak
(king) (lady) (tower) (courier) (horse)
K kuningas L lipp V vanker O oda R ratsu
Estonian (E) ettur Male Tuli
(king) (flag) (chariot/carriage) (spear) (riding horse)
D
K kuningas T torni L lähetti R ratsu (S) sotilas
Finnish daami/kuningatar Shakki Shakki Matti/Shakk
(king) (tower) (messenger) (horse) (soldier)
(lady)/(queen)
R roi D dame T tour F fou C cavalier
French (P) pion Échecs Échec Échec et m
(king) (lady) (tower) (jester) (rider)
მ მეფე მხ მხედარი
ლ ლაზიერი ე ეტლი კ კუ პ პაიკი ჭადრაკი ქიში
Georgian (mep'e, (mkhedari,
(lazieri, queen) (etli, chariot) (ku, tortoise) (paiki, pawn) (Čadraki) (K'ishi)
king) rider)
S Springer,
K König D Dame, Königin T Turm L Läufer (B) Bauer
German[11][12][13] (king) (lady, queen) (tower) (runner)
Pferd, Rössel
(peasant)
Schach Schach Matt/Schach
(jumper, horse)
Ρ βασιλιάς Β βασίλισσα Α αξιωματικός
Π πύργος Ι ίππος (Σ) πιόνι Σκάκι Σαχ
Greek (vasiliás, (vasílissa, (axiomatikós,
(pýrgos, tower) (íppos, horse) (pióni, pawn) (Skáki) (Sach)
king) queen) officer)

R राजा V वज़ीर H हाथी O ऊँट G घोड़ा (P) यादा शतरंज शाह

Hindi
(rājā, king) (vazīr, vizier) (hāthī, elephant) (ūṁṭ, camel) (ghoṛā, horse) (pyādā, infantryman) (Shatranj) (Shāh)
‫מ מלך‬
‫מה מלכה‬ ‫צ צריח‬ ‫ר רץ‬ ‫פ פרש‬ ‫רגלי‬ ‫שחמט‬ ‫שח‬
Hebrew (Melech,
(Malka, queen) (Tzariach, tower) (Ratz, runner) (Parash, rider) (Regli, foot-soldier) (Shakhmat) (Shakh)
king)
J jarumi
S sarki Q sarauniya R sansanin G giwa (P) soja
Hausa (mounted ces ceki
(king) (queen) (fortress) (elephant) (soldier)
warrior)
K király V vezér/királynő B bástya F futó H huszár/ló (Gy) gyalog/paraszt
Hungarian Sakk Sakk
(king) (vizier)/(queen) (bastion) (runner) (hussar)/(horse) (footman)/(peasant)
R rejo D damo T turmo E episkopo K kavalo
Ido (P) piono Shakoludo Shako
(king) (lady) (tower) (bishop) (horse)
K kóngur D drottning H hrókur B biskup R riddari (P) peð
Icelandic Skák Skák
(king) (queen) (rook) (bishop) (knight) (pawn)
R raja M menteri B benteng G gajah K kuda
Indonesian (P) pion Catur Sekak
(king) (minister/vizier) (castle/fortress) (elephant) (horse)
R rí B banríon C caiseal E easpag D ridire (F) fichillín/ceithearnach
Irish Ficheall Sáinn Marbhshá
(king) (queen) (bulwark) (bishop) (knight) (little chess piece/kern)
R re D donna/regina T torre A alfiere C cavallo (P) pedone
Italian Scacchi Scacco Scacco m
(king) (lady/queen) (tower) (standard-bearer) (horse) (footsoldier)

王手/
K キング Q クイーン R ルーク B ビショップ N ナイト (P) ポーン チェス
Japanese チェック チェックメ
(kingu) (kuīn) (rūku) (bishoppu) (naito) (pōn) (chesu)
(chekku) (chekkume
Javanese R raja Q ratu/perdhana B bèntèng M mentri K jaran (P) pion sekak
(king) mentri (fortress) (minister) (horse)
 (queen/prime
minister)

K킹 Q퀸 R룩 B 비숍 N 나이트 (P) 폰 체스 체크
Korean (
(king) (kwin) (rug) (bi syob) (na i teu) (pon) (che seu) (che keu)

signifer, cursor
rex regina turris eques pedes
Latin (standard-bearer, Scacci Scaccus
(king) (queen) (tower) (knight) (footsoldier)
messenger)
K karalis D dāma T tornis L laidnis Z zirgs (B) bandinieks
Latvian Šahs Šahs Šahs un m
(king) (lady) (tower) (bishop) (cavallo) (peasant)
K karalius V valdovė R rikis (Lithuanian
Lithuanian B bokštas (tower) Ž žirgas (horse) (P) pėstininkas (pawn) Šachmatai Šach
(king) (queen) military commander)
lo nolraitru
N nolraitru Nu nolraitruni'u B badydi'u gunta
Lojban X xanto (elephant) Xi xirma (horse) (S) sonci (soldier) caxmati morsi (
(king) (queen) (castle) (attack)

K Kinnek D Damm T Tuerm L Leefer P Päerd (B) Bauer

Luxembourgish Schach Schach
(king) (lady) (tower) (runner) (horse) (farmer)
D Кралица/
K Крал T Топ L Ловец S Коњ P Пион
Macedonian Дама Шах Шух
(king) (tower) (hunter) (horse) (pawn)
(queen/lady)
K രാജാവ് Qമ ി (P) കാലാ / പടയാളി
R േതര് B ആന N/Kt തിര ച രംഗം െച ്
Malayalam (rajavu, (manthri, (kalal)/(padayali, foot
(theru, chariot) (anaa, elephant) (kuthira, horse) (chathurangam) check
king) minister) soldier)

R राजा V वज़ीर Hह ी O उंट G घोड़ा (P) यादे बुि बळ शह

Marathi
(rājā, king) (vajīr, vizier) (hātti, elephant) (Uant, camel) (ghoda, horse) (pyāde, foot soldier) (buddhibal) (shāh)
Н ноён Б бэрс т тэрэг Т тэмээ М морь (Х) хүү шаг, дуг,
Mongolian Шатар
(noyan) (fers, vizier) (tereg, chariot) (temee, camel) (mor, rider) (hüü, infantryman) цод
Norwegian K konge D dronning T tårn L løper S springer (B) bonde
Sjakk Sjakk
Bokmål (king) (queen) (tower) (runner) (jumper) (peasant)
Norwegian K konge D dronning T tårn L løpar S springar (B) bonde
Sjakk Sjakk
Nynorsk (king) (queen) (tower) (runner) (jumper) (peasant)
‫ش ﺷﺎه‬ ‫و وزﯾﺮ‬ ‫رخ‬/‫ر ﻗﻠﻌﻪ‬/‫ق‬ ‫ف ﻓﯿﻞ‬ ‫ا اﺳﺐ‬ ‫س ﺳﺮﺑﺎز‬ ‫ﮐﯿﺶ‬
Persian ‫ﺷﻄﺮﻧﺞ‬
(king) (vizier, minister) (castle) (elephant) (horse) (soldier) (kish)
K król W wieża G goniec S skoczek (P) pion mat (szach-
Polish H hetman szachy szach
(king) (tower) (courier) (jumper) (pawn)
R rei D dama/rainha T torre B bispo C cavalo
Portuguese (P) peão Xadrez Xeque
(king) (lady)/(queen) (tower) (bishop) (horse)
R rege D damă/regină T turn N nebun C cal
Romanian (P) pion Şah Şah
(king) (lady)/(queen) (tower) (fool, jester) (horse)
Кр король
Ф ферзь (vizier) Л ладья (boat) С слон (elephant) К конь (horse) (П) пешка шахматы шах
Russian (king)
F ferz' L ladya S slon K kon' P peshka shakhmaty shakh
Kr korol'
R righ B bànrigh
Scottish Gaelic T tùr (tower) E easbaig (bishop) D ridir (knight) (P) pàn (pawn) feòirne casg
(king) (queen)
С/S (скaкaч/
К/K краљ / Д/D краљицa / (П) (пjешак/пион) /
Serbo-Croatian Т/T топ / top Л/L ловац / lovac коњ) / Шах / Šah Шах / Šah
kralj kraljica (pješak/pion)
(skakac/konj)
N
Northern Sotho К Kgoši Kg Kgošigadi Mp Mopišopo M Mogale S Seitšhireletšo Tšhêšê Check
Ntlosebô/Moshate
R re D riggina T turru S scecc[h]u (P) pidinu
Sicilian A alferu Scacchi
(king) (queen) (tower) (donkey) (footsoldier)
K kráľ J jazdec (P) pešiak (infantryman,
Slovak D dáma (lady) V veža (tower) S strelec (shooter) Šach Šach Mat/Šachm
(king) (horseman) pawn)
K kralj S skakač
Slovene D dama (lady) T trdnjava (castle) L lovec (hunter) (P) kmet (farmer) Šah Šah
(king) (jumper)
R rey D dama/reina T torre C caballo (P) peón
Spanish A alfil Ajedrez Jaque
(king) (lady/queen) (tower) (horse) (foot-soldier)
S
D dam/drottning T torn L löpare (B) bonde
Swedish K kung springare/häst Schack Schack
(lady)/(queen) (tower) (runner) (peasant)
(horse)
B அைம ச /
K அரச ம (P) காலா / பா
Q அர R ேகா ைட N/Kt ைர ச ர க ைக இ
Tamil (arasaṉ, (amaicchar, (kālāḷ, fotsoldier) /
(araci, queen) (kōṭṭai, castle) (kutirai, horse) (sathurankam) (muṟṟukai) (iṟuti muṟṟu
king) minister) / (manthiri, (cippāy, sepoy)
minister)

మం
ఏ శక రం బం చదరంగం
Telugu (maṃtri,
(rāju, king) (ēnugu, elephant) (śakaţu) (gurraṃ, horse) (baṃţu, soldier) (cadaraṃgaṃ) (dāḍi)
minister)

ต เม็ด (ตรี/มนตรี) รุก

ข ขุน ร เรือ ค โคน ม มา (บ) เบี้ย หมากรุก
Thai (met (trī/montrī), (ruk,
(khun, king) (reūa, ship) (khōn, elephant) (mā, horse) (bīa, menial) (mākruk) (jon
counselor) invade)
Ş/K
(P) er/piyon
Turkish şah/kral V vezir (vizier) K kale (castle) F fil (elephant) A at (horse) Satranç Şah
(soldier/pawn)
(shah/king)
(П) пішак, пішка
Kр король Ф ферзь T тура C слон K кінь Шахи Шах
Ukrainian (pishak/pishka,
(korol, king) (ferz, vizier) (tura, tower) (slon, elephant) (kin, horse) (shakhi) (shakh)
footsoldier)
Urdu ‫ﺑﺎدﺷﺎہ‬ ‫وزﯾﺮ‬ ‫رخ‬ ‫ﻓﻴﻠ‬ ‫ﮔﮭﻮڑا‬ ‫ﭘﯿﺎدہ‬ ‫ﺷﻄﺮﻧﺞ‬ ‫ﺷ‬
(vazīr) (rukh) (ghōṛā) (šaṭranj)
(bādshāh) (fiyalah) (pyādah) (sheh)
 V vua Chiếu bí/C
Vietnamese H hậu (queen) X xe (chariot) T tượng (statue) M mã (horse) _ tốt (soldier) Cờ vua Chiếu
(king)
T
B brenhines ( M marchog
Welsh teyrn/brenin C castell (castle) E esgob (bishop) (G) gwerinwr (peasant) Gwyddbwyll Siach
queen) (rider)
(lord/king)

Kindred notations
Besides the FIDE standard (or short) algebraic notationSAN)
( already described, several similar systems are in use for their own particular advantages.

Figurine algebraic notation

Figurine algebraic notation(or FAN) is a widely used variation of algebraic notation which substitutes a piece symbol for the letter representing a piece, for example: ♞c6 in place of Nc6. (Pawns are
unlabeled, just like in regular albegraic notation.) This enables moves to be read independent of language.

The Unicode Miscellaneous Symbolsset includes all the symbols necessary for FAN. In order to display or print these symbols, one has to have one or more fonts with good Unicode support installed on
the computer, that the Web page, or word processor document, etc., uses.[14]

Long algebraic notation

Some computer programs (and people) use a variant of algebraic chess notation termed long algebraic notation or fully expanded algebraic notation. In long algebraic notation, moves specify both the
starting and ending squares separated by a hyphen, for example:e2-e4 or Nb1-c3. Captures are still indicated using "x":Rd3xd7.

The long notation takes more space and thus is not as commonly used. However, it has the advantage of clarity, particularly for less-skilled players or players learning the game. Some books using
primarily short algebraic notation use the long notation instead of the disambiguation forms described earlier
.

A form of long algebraic notation (without hyphens) is also notably used by the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) standard, which is a common way for graphical chess programs to communicate with
chess engines (e.g. forAI).

ICCF numeric notation

In international correspondence chess the use of algebraic notation may cause confusion, since different languages employ different names (and therefore different letters) for the pieces; hence the
standard for transmitting moves in this form of chess is ICCF numeric notation. In recent years, the majority of correspondence games have been played on on-line servers rather than by email or post,
leading to a decline in the use of ICCF numeric notation.

PGN for computer storage

Chess games are often stored in computer files using Portable Game Notation (PGN),[15] which uses algebraic chess notation as well as additional markings to codify a game. As mentioned, PGN
requires uppercase letterO to represent castling (e.g.O-O), while the FIDE Handbook uses digit zero 0-0).
(

Annotation symbols
Though not technically a part of algebraic notation, the following are some common symbols frequently used by annotators to give evaluative comment on a move:

! an excellent move
!! a particularly good—and usually surprising—move
? a bad move; a mistake
?? a blunder
!? an interesting move that may not be best
?! a dubious move or move that may turn out to be bad
⌓ a better move than the one played
□ the only reasonable move, or the only move available
TN or N a theoretical novelty
To give evaluative comment on a position:

= equal chances for both players

+/= (or ) White has a slight plus
=/+ (or ) Black has a slight plus
+/− (or ±) White has a clear plus
−/+ (or ∓) Black has a clear plus
+− White has a winning advantage
−+ Black has a winning advantage
∞ unclear whether either side has an advantage
=/∞ whoever is down in material has compensation for it
The symbol chosen is simply appended to the end of the move notation, for example:
1.d4 e5?! 2.dxe5 f6 3.e4! Nc6 4.Bc4+/−

See also
Chess notation
Descriptive chess notation

References
1. Davidson, Henry (1981).A Short History of Chess. David McKay. pp. 152–153. 4. Schiller, Eric (2003). Official Rules of Chess(2nd ed.). Cardoza. p. 25.ISBN 978-
ISBN 978-0679145509. 1580420921.
2. FIDE Handbook (http://www.fide.com/component/handbook/?id=125&view=article) 5. FIDE Handbook, appendix C.13(http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook?id=125&view=art
3. FIDE Laws of Chess (http://www.fide.com/FIDE/handbook/LawsOfChess.pdf) icle)
 6. [1] (https://books.google.com/books?id=VBYLAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=% 10. Dictionary.com: king (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/king?s=t), queen (http://www.
22algebraic+notation%22+continental+chess&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiI6_rph9X dictionary.com/browse/queen?s=t), rook (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/rook?s=t),
VAhVI32MKHXStCIc4FBDoAQhDMAU#v=onepage&q=notation&f=false)Murray, castle (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/castle?s=t), bishop (http://www.dictionary.co
Harold James Ruthvan.A History of Chess. Oxford Clarendon Press (1913). page m/browse/bishop?s=t), knight (http://www.dictionary.com/browse/knight?s=t), pawn (h
469-470 ttp://www.dictionary.com/browse/pawn?s=t)
7. [2] (https://books.google.com/books?id=VBYLAAAAIAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=% 11. Pierer's Universal-Lexikon, Band 15. Altenburg, 1862, p.44-47 s.v. Schachspiel (http://
22algebraic+notation%22+continental+chess&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiI6_rph9X www.zeno.org/Pierer-1857/A/Schachspiel)
VAhVI32MKHXStCIc4FBDoAQhDMAU#v=onepage&q=notation&f=false)Murray, 12. Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon, Band 17.Leipzig, 1909, p.662-663 s.v.
Harold James Ruthvan.A History of Chess. Oxford Clarendon Press (1913). page Schachspiel. (http://www.zeno.org/Meyers-1905/A/Schachspiel)
469-470
13. duden.de: König (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Koenig), Dame (http://www.du
8. [3] (https://books.google.com/books?id=tchh5AGWYj4C&printsec=frontcover&dq=Sta den.de/rechtschreibung/Dame_Frau_Brettspiel_Spielfigur) , Königin (http://www.dude
unton+%22Chess-Player's+Handbook%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiKhvrgwdHV n.de/rechtschreibung/Koenigin), Turm (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Turm),
AhUGziYKHZCEAJoQ6AEIWDAJ#v=onepage&q=Staunton%20%22Chess-Player's% Läufer (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Laeufer), Springer (http://www.duden.d
20Handbook%22&f=false)Staunton, Howard. The Chess-Player's Handbook. A e/rechtschreibung/Springer), Pferd (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Pferd),
Popular and Scientific Introduction to the Game of Chess, Exemplified in Games Rössel (http://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Roessel), Bauer (http://www.duden.de/
Actually Played by the Greatest Masters and Illustrated by Numerous Diagrams of suchen/dudenonline/Bauer)
Original And Remarkable Positions. Third edition, revised . Bell & Daldy London.
14. "Test for Unicode support in Web browsers" (http://www.alanwood.net/unicode/miscell
1866. p. 501
aneous_symbols.html).
9. Sources for this section include Wikipedia articles in various languages. Note that the
15. Standard: Portable Game Notation Specification and Implementation Guide
symbol for pawn is not used in algebraic notation.Archived (https://www.webcitation.o
http://www.saremba.de/chessgml/standards/pgn/pgn-complete.htm
rg/5kmX4kfov?url=http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Metro/9154/nap-pieces.ht
m) 2009-10-25.

External links
FIDE rules on algebraic notation(see appendix C)
Algebraic Chess Notation Exercise

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Algebraic_notation_(chess)&oldid=870594038

"

This page was last edited on 25 November 2018, at 21:12(UTC).

Text is available under theCreative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to theTerms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of theWikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization.