Algebraic chess notation

Algebraic chess notation is the method used today by all competition chess organizations and most books, magazines, and newspapers to record and describe the play of chess games. It is also called abbreviated (or short) algebraic notation or SAN to distinguish it from the expanded (or long) algebraic notation variant now referred to as (LAN). Beginning in the 1970s, the abbreviated algebraic notation eventually came to replace descriptive chess notation, although this notation can still be found in older literature.

Common shorthand notation

The following short-hand notations are frequently used to comment moves:

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