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September 27, 2005
A world of chess knowledge: understanding Algebraic Notation
One of the most important skills you could ever learn is chess notation. Chess notation is a way to record a game of chess, and learning how to notate your rank-and-files will open up an entire library of chess books.
There are different flavors of chess notation but the most popular type used today is called Algebraic Notation, and practically all new chess books use this type of notation (pictured).
In Algebraic Notation the chessboard is divided into ranks and files. The ranks are the horizontal rows of squares labeled 1 through 8. The files are the vertical columns of squares labeled a through h. Each square on the chessboard can be identified by a unique combination of file and rank. Some boards do not have the ranks and files labeled so it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with it. From the perspective of the White side, the files are always labeled a through h going from left to right and the ranks are always labeled 1 through 8 going from bottom to top.
Pieces are identified by a single capital letter. This is usually the letter their names start with. The exception is the Knight. Since the K is used for a King, the Knight is identified by an N.
The symbols for each piece are:
K - King
Q - Queen
R - Rook
B - Bishop
N - Knight
P - Pawn
To notate a piece moving on the chessboard first write the piece identifier and then the square the piece is moving to. In the diagram on the left the Knight is moving to square f3 so this is written Nf3.
A King-side castle is represented by O-O. A Queen-side castle is represented by O-O-O. A move attacking the enemy King the notation is followed by a plus (+) sign. When a move checkmates the enemy King the notation is followed by a ++ or a #. When a Pawn makes it to the opposite side of the board and promotes to another piece you would notate the move as usual followed by the piece identifier for the piece the pawn promoted to with an equal (=) sign. For example: f8=Q+. This means a pawn moved from the seventh rank (f7) to the eighth rank and promoted to a Queen and checked the King.
Sometimes additional commentary is added to the end of the notation to describe the move in more detail. Here are a few symbols along with their meanings:
!! - Brilliant move
! - Good move
!? - Interesting move
?! - Dubious move
? - Bad move
?? - Blunder
Now that you are an expert on Algebraic Notation, get out your board and see if you can follow this game:
White Black
1. e4 d5
2. exd5 Nf6
3. d4 Bg4
4. Bb5+ c6?!
5. dxc6! Bxd1?
6. c7+ Qd7??
7. c8Q#
There are many other methods of recording a chess game besides Algebraic Notation. About a decade ago the most popular method used here in the U.S. was a method called Descriptive Notation. Instead of having the files labeled a through h the chessboard is divided into a Queen-side and a King-side and the file names take on the name of the piece that occupied the file in the initial setup position. So the files are QR (for Queen Rook) through KR (King Rook). The ranks are labeled 1 through 8 but unlike Algebraic Notation, the labeling is with respect to the player. 1 represents the row of squares closest to the player and 8 represents the row of squares farthest away.
Descriptive Notation does have a piece identifier for a Pawn and it is what you probably thought it would be, a P. A game that begins: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 in Algebraic Notation would look like: 1. P-K4 P-K4 2. N-KB3 N-QB3 in Descriptive Notation. It is a good idea to learn this type of notation if only to be able to read the older chess books that use it.
Many books and computer chess programs use a notation called Figurine Algebraic Notation. This is exactly like normal Algebraic Notation except that the piece identifiers are replaced with graphic symbols of the pieces. This looks nice in books and on computer screens but you probably wouldn't want to use it while scoring your own games by drawing each piece by hand.
For more on chess notation check out http://www.uschess.org/beginners/read/
Posted by rene on September 27, 2005 9:49 AM
Comments
Well, that was one fine explanation to what, at one point not long ago, looked like a secret code which I was completely unable to decipher. After reading your description and the well developed sequence, not only from the old and new way of wring a game, but also some stepts to follow on your own, I would say that I learned something new today, something that I can bring into my 4th grade math class on algebraic equations. Thank you very much Oh Chessmeester.
Posted by: Kenia Murillo at October 9, 2005 12:10 AM
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