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.

Notation for moves

Each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's letter, plus the

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coordinate of the destination square.

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For example Be5 (move a bishop to e5), Nf3 (move

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a knight to f3), c5 (move a pawn to c5--no initial

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in the case of pawn moves).

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In some publications, the pieces are indicated by graphical

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representations rather than by initials: for example, {{unicode|♞c6}}.

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Notation for captures

When a piece makes a capture, an x is inserted between the

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initial and the destination square.

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For example, Bxe5 (bishop captures the piece on e5).

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When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the pawn

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departed is used in place of a piece initial.

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For example, exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the

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piece on d5). The : after the move (Be5:) is also used for captures.

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En passant captures (see pawn) are specified

Related Topics:
En passant - Pawn

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by the capturing pawn's file of departure, the x, and the

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square to which it moves (not the location of the captured pawn),

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optionally followed by the notation "e.p."

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It is never necessary to specify that a capture was en passant because a capture from the same file but not en passant would have a different destination square. Within the SAN (Standard Algebraic Notation) standard, the "x" capture indication is always required while the "e.p." en passant move suffix indication is always forbidden.

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Disambiguating moves

If two identical pieces can move to the same square, the piece's

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initial is followed by: (1) if both pieces are on the same rank,

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the file of departure; (2) if both pieces are on the same file,

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the rank of departure.

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If pieces are on different ranks and files, method (1) is preferred.

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For example, with two knights on g1 and d2, either of

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which might move to f3, the move is indicated as Ngf3

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or Ndf3, as appropriate.

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With two knights on g5 and g1, the moves are N5f3

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or N1f3.

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As above, an x may be used to indicate a capture: for example,

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N5xf3.

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It may be necessary to identify a departing piece with both its file and its rank in unusual configurations (e.g. the player has three queens or three knights on the board).

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Pawn Promotion

If a pawn moves to its last rank, achieving promotion, the piece

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chosen is indicated after the move, for example e1Q, b8B.

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Sometimes an "=" sign is used: f8=Q.

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Castling

Castling is indicated by the special notations 0-0 for kingside castling and 0-0-0 for queenside (note that while this is what the FIDE Handbook uses, PGN requires O-O and O-O-O instead). Optionally, it may be indicated by the king's move; for example, Kg1.

Related Topics:
Castling - PGN

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Check and checkmate

A move which places the opponent's king in check may have the notation "+" added. (Sometimes ch is used to indicate check.) Checkmate can likewise be indicated "#" (some use "++" instead, but the United States Chess Federation recommends "#").

Related Topics:
King - Check - Checkmate - United States Chess Federation

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