Why Learn Notation?

Chess notation is the written language of chess. It allows you to:

  • Record your games for later review
  • Study master games and follow famous brilliancies
  • Read chess books and articles that explain positions move by move
  • Communicate positions clearly with other players
  • Analyze with engines using a standardized format

The standard system used worldwide is algebraic notation. It’s simple to learn and you’ll pick it up quickly.

The Board Coordinates

Every square on the chess board has a unique name made up of a letter (file) and a number (rank):

  • Files (vertical columns) are labeled a through h from left to right (from White’s perspective)
  • Ranks (horizontal rows) are labeled 1 through 8 from bottom to top (from White’s perspective)

The bottom-left square (from White’s view) is a1. The top-right square is h8.

White’s pieces start on ranks 1 and 2. Black’s pieces start on ranks 7 and 8.

Piece Symbols

Piece Symbol Example
King K Ke2 (King moves to e2)
Queen Q Qd7 (Queen moves to d7)
Rook R Rf1 (Rook moves to f1)
Bishop B Bc4 (Bishop moves to c4)
Knight N Nf3 (Knight moves to f3)
Pawn (no letter) e4 (pawn moves to e4)

Knights use N because K is taken by the King.

Writing Moves

Basic Move

Piece symbol + destination square

  • Nf3 — Knight moves to f3
  • Bc4 — Bishop moves to c4
  • e4 — pawn moves to e4 (no piece letter for pawns)

Captures

Add an x between the piece and the destination:

  • Bxf7 — Bishop captures on f7
  • Nxe5 — Knight captures on e5
  • exd5 — e-pawn captures on d5 (for pawn captures, include the file the pawn came from)

Disambiguation

When two pieces of the same type could move to the same square, add the file, rank, or both to clarify:

  • Nbd2 — the Knight on the b-file moves to d2 (not the other Knight)
  • R1e1 — the Rook on rank 1 moves to e1
  • Qh4e1 — the Queen on h4 moves to e1 (rare — both file and rank needed)

Check and Checkmate

  • + after a move means check: Bb5+
  • # after a move means checkmate: Qxf7#

Castling

  • O-O — kingside castling (short castle)
  • O-O-O — queenside castling (long castle)

Pawn Promotion

When a pawn promotes, add = and the piece symbol:

  • e8=Q — pawn promotes to Queen on e8
  • d1=N — pawn promotes to Knight on d1 (underpromotion)

En Passant

Recorded as a normal pawn capture. The notation shows the pawn’s destination, not the captured pawn’s square:

  • exd6 — e-pawn captures en passant, landing on d6

Move Evaluation Symbols

Chess annotators use symbols to judge moves:

Symbol Meaning
! Good move
!! Brilliant move
? Mistake
?? Blunder
!? Interesting/speculative move
?! Dubious move

Reading a Complete Game

A game is recorded in numbered pairs — White’s move first, then Black’s:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4 Bc5 4.O-O Nf6

This reads as:

  1. White plays e4, Black plays e5
  2. White plays Knight to f3, Black plays Knight to c6
  3. White plays Bishop to c4, Black plays Bishop to c5
  4. White castles kingside, Black plays Knight to f6

Game Results

At the end of a recorded game:

  • 1-0 — White wins
  • 0-1 — Black wins
  • ½-½ — Draw

Practice Reading

Here is the famous Scholar’s Mate in notation:

1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nc6 3.Qh5 Nf6?? 4.Qxf7#

Reading this:

  1. Both sides play King’s pawn forward two squares
  2. White develops Bishop to c4, Black develops Knight to c6
  3. White brings Queen to h5 (threatening Qxf7#), Black plays Knight to f6 (?? — a blunder because it doesn’t defend f7)
  4. White captures on f7 with the Queen — checkmate (#)

The more games you read in notation, the faster it becomes. Within a few games, it will feel natural.