Notation for recording moves
Algebraic chess notation
Main article:
Chess notation
Chess games and positions are recorded using a special notation, most often
algebraic chess notation.
[5] Abbreviated (or short) algebraic notation generally records moves in the format
abbreviation of the piece moved - file where it moved - rank where it moved, e.g.
Qg5 means "queen moves to the
g-file and
5th rank (that is, to the square
g5). If there are two pieces of the same type that can move to the same square, one more letter or number is added to indicate the file or rank from which the piece moved, e.g.
Ngf3 means "knight from the g-file moves to the square f3". The letter
P indicating a pawn is not used, so that
e4 means "pawn moves to the square
e4".
If the piece makes a capture, "x" is inserted before the destination square, e.g.
Bxf3 means "bishop captures on f3". When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the pawn departed is used in place of a piece initial, and ranks may be omitted if unambiguous. For example,
exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the piece on
d5) or
exd (pawn on e-file captures something on the d-file).
The "
Scholar's mate"
If a pawn moves to its last rank, achieving promotion, the piece chosen is indicated after the move,
[6] for example
e1Q or
e1=Q. Castling is indicated by the special notations 0-0 for kingside castling and 0-0-0 for queenside. A move which places the opponent's king in check usually has the notation "+" added. Checkmate can be indicated by "#" (occasionally "++", although this is sometimes used for a
double check instead). At the end of the game, "1-0" means "White won", "0-1" means "Black won" and "½-½" indicates a draw.
Chess moves can be annotated with
punctuation marks and other symbols. For example
! indicates a good move,
!! an excellent move,
? a mistake,
?? a blunder,
!? an interesting move that may not be best or
?! a dubious move, but not easily refuted.
For example, one variant of a simple trap known as the
Scholar's mate, animated in the picture to the right, can be recorded:
- e4 e5
- Qh5?! Nc6
- Bc4 Nf6??
- Qxf7# 1-0