Quick answer
Algebraic notation writes each move as a piece letter plus the square it moves to. Nf3 means a knight moves to f3. Pawn moves have no letter, so e4 means a pawn moves to e4. Captures add an x, check adds +, and checkmate adds #.
Squares: files and ranks
The columns, called files, are labeled a to h from White’s left to right. The rows, called ranks, are numbered 1 to 8 from White’s side. Every square has a unique name made of its file and rank, such as e4 or g7. White starts on ranks 1 and 2 and Black on ranks 7 and 8. The board has to be oriented correctly for this to match; see which way the chess board goes.
Piece letters
| Letter | Piece |
|---|---|
| K | King |
| Q | Queen |
| R | Rook |
| B | Bishop |
| N | Knight |
| (none) | Pawn |
The knight uses N because K is taken by the king; see chess notation for the knight for more. If you need the starting squares, read proper chess board setup. For how each piece actually moves, see chess pieces: names and how each moves.
Basic move examples
- e4: a pawn moves to e4.
- Nf3: a knight moves to f3.
- Bc4: a bishop moves to c4.
- Qh5: the queen moves to h5.
- Rd1: a rook moves to d1.
- Ke2: the king moves to e2.
Captures, check and checkmate
- Bxc6: a bishop captures on c6.
- exd5: the pawn from the e-file captures on d5. Pawn captures start with the pawn’s file letter.
- Qxf7+: the queen captures on f7 and gives check.
- Qxf7#: the queen captures on f7 and it is checkmate.
Castling, promotion and en passant
- O-O is kingside castling. O-O-O is queenside castling (written with the letter O, not zero).
- e8=Q means a pawn reaches e8 and promotes to a queen. Other pieces work the same way, such as e8=N.
- En passant is written like a normal pawn capture, for example exd6. Some scoresheets add “e.p.” afterwards.
Two pieces to the same square
When two identical pieces could move to the same square, add the file of the one that moves, or the rank if the files match.
- Rad1: the rook from the a-file moves to d1.
- R1a3: the rook from the first rank moves to a3.
- Nbd2: the knight from the b-file moves to d2.
Reading a full example game
Here is a very short game, known as Scholar’s mate, which is a trap for beginners:
- e4 e5
- Bc4 Nc6
- Qh5 Nf6
- Qxf7#
Move by move: White plays a pawn to e4 and Black answers with a pawn to e5. White’s bishop goes to c4, and Black develops a knight to c6. White’s queen goes to h5, and Black plays a knight to f6, which fails to stop the threat. White’s queen captures the pawn on f7, giving checkmate. Each numbered line holds White’s move followed by Black’s reply.
Annotation symbols and results
Commentators add symbols after moves: ! for a good move, ? for a mistake, !! for a brilliant move, ?? for a blunder, !? for an interesting move and ?! for a dubious one. Game results are written 1-0 (White wins), 0-1 (Black wins) and 1/2-1/2 (draw).
Common mistakes
- Writing the piece letter in lowercase or the file letter in uppercase. Pieces are capitals and files are lowercase.
- Using K for the knight.
- Forgetting the x on captures, or adding a letter for a pawn.
- Writing castling with zeros instead of the letter O.
FAQ
How do you write in algebraic chess notation?
Write the piece letter, then the destination square. Leave off the letter for pawns.
Can you give an example of chess notation?
- e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 is a common opening, the Ruy Lopez.
What are the 16 pieces called?
Each side has eight pawns, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, a queen and a king.