Algebraic notation (chess)

Algebraic notation (or AN) is a method for recording and describing the moves in a game of chess. It is now standard among all chess organizations and most books, magazines, and newspapers. In English-speaking countries, algebraic notation replaced the parallel method of descriptive notation, which became common in the 19th century and continued with sporadic use as recently as the 1980s or 1990s.

Algebraic notation exists in various forms and languages, and is based on a system developed by Philipp Stamma. Stamma used the modern names of the squares, but he used p for pawn moves, and the original file of a piece (a through h) instead of the initial letter of the piece name.^[1] This article describes standard algebraic notation (SAN) required by FIDE.

Naming the squares

Each square of the chessboard is identified by a unique coordinate pair—a letter and a number. The vertical columns of squares (called files) from White's left (the queenside) to his or her right (the kingside) are labeled a through h. The horizontal rows of squares (called ranks) are numbered 1 to 8 starting from White's side of the board. Thus each square has a unique identification of file letter followed by rank number. (For example, White's king starts the game on square e1; Black's knight on b8 can move to open squares a6 or c6.)

Naming the pieces

Each piece type (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter, usually the first letter in the name of the piece in whatever language is spoken by the player recording. English-speaking players use the letter K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight (since K is already used). S (from the German Springer) was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation, and is still used in chess problems (where N stands for the nightrider, a popular fairy chess piece).

Other languages may employ different letters, for example, French players use F for bishop (from fou). In chess literature written for an international audience, the language-specific letters are replaced by universal icons for the pieces, resulting in figurine notation.

Pawns are not identified by uppercase letters, but rather by the absence of one. Distinguishing between pawns is not necessary for recording moves, since only one pawn can move to a given square. (Pawn captures are an exception and indicated differently as explained below.)

Notation for moves

Each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's uppercase letter, plus the coordinate of the destination square. For example, Be5 (move a bishop to e5), Nf3 (move a knight to f3), c5 (move a pawn to c5—no piece letter in the case of pawn moves). In some publications, the pieces are indicated by icons rather than by letters, for example: ♞c6. This is called figurine algebraic notation (FAN) and has the advantage of being language-independent.

Notation for captures

When a piece makes a capture, an "x" is inserted immediately before the destination square. For example, Bxe5 (bishop captures the piece on e5). When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the pawn departed is used to identify the pawn. For example, exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the piece on d5). A colon (:) is sometimes used instead of "x", either in the same place the "x" would go (B:e5) or at the end (Be5:).

En passant captures are indicated by specifying the capturing pawn's file of departure, the "x", the destination square (not the square of the captured pawn), and (optionally) the suffix "e.p." indicating the capture was en passant.^[2] For example, exd6e.p.

Some texts, such as the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, omit indication that any capture has been made. (For example, Be5 instead of Bxe5; ed6 instead of exd6 or exd6e.p.) When it is unambiguous to do so, a pawn capture is sometimes described by specifying only the files involved (exd or ed). These shortened forms are sometimes called minimal or abbreviated algebraic notation.

Disambiguating moves

When two (or more) identical pieces can move to the same square, the moving piece is uniquely identified by specifying the piece's letter, followed by (in descending order of preference):

the file of departure (if they differ); or
the rank of departure (if the files are the same but the ranks differ); or
both the file and rank (if neither alone is sufficient to identify the piece—which occurs only in rare cases where one or more pawns have promoted, resulting in a player having three or more identical pieces able to reach the same square).

For example, with knights on g1 and d2, either of which might move to f3, the move is specified as Ngf3 or Ndf3, as appropriate. With knights on g5 and g1, the moves are N5f3 or N1f3. As above, an "x" can be inserted to indicate a capture, for example: N5xf3. Another example: two rooks on d3 and h5, either one of which may move to d5. If the rook on d3 moves to d5, it is possible to disambiguate with either Rdd5 or R3d5, but the file takes precedence over the rank, so Rdd5 is correct. (And likewise if the move is a capture, Rdxd5 is correct.)

Pawn promotion

When a pawn moves to the last rank and promotes, the piece promoted to is indicated at the end of the move notation, for example: e8Q (promoting to queen). Sometimes an equals sign or parentheses are used: e8=Q or e8(Q), but neither format is a FIDE standard. In Portable Game Notation (PGN), pawn promotion is always indicated using the equals sign format (e8=Q).

In older books, pawn promotions can be found using a forward slash: e8/Q.

Draw offer

In FIDE Laws of Chess,^[3] an equals sign with parentheses, "(=)", is used to write the offer of a draw on the scoresheet next to a move, but this is not part of algebraic notation.^[4]

Castling

Castling is indicated by the special notations 0-0 (for kingside castling) and 0-0-0 (queenside castling).

While the FIDE Handbook, appendix C.13^[5] uses the digit zero (0-0 and 0-0-0), PGN requires the uppercase letter O (O-O and O-O-O).

Check and checkmate

A move that places the opponent's king in check usually has the symbol "+" appended. Or sometimes a dagger (†) is used, or the abbreviation "ch". Double check is commonly indicated the same as check, but is sometimes represented specially as "dbl ch", or in older books as "++". The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings omits any indication of check.

Checkmate at the completion of moves can be represented by the symbol "# " (some use "++" instead, but the USCF recommends "# "). Or the word mate is commonly used. Occasionally the double dagger (‡) is seen. Checkmate is also represented by "≠" by Apple Inc.

End of game

The notation 1–0 at the completion of moves indicates that White won, 0–1 indicates that Black won, and ½–½ indicates a draw.

Often there is no indication regarding how a player won or lost (other than checkmate, see above), so simply 1–0 or 0–1 may be written to show that one player resigned or lost due to time control. Sometimes direct information is given by the words White resigns or Black resigns, but this is not considered part of the notation, rather a return to the surrounding narrative text.

Notation for a series of moves

A game or series of moves is generally written in one of two ways.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6

In two columns, as White/Black pairs, preceded by the move number and a period:
1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. Bb5 a6
As horizontal text:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6

Moves may be interspersed with commentary (annotations). When the score resumes with a Black move, an ellipsis (...) fills the position of the White move, for example:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

White attacks the black e-pawn.

2... Nc6

Black defends and develops simultaneously.

3. Bb5

White plays the Ruy Lopez.

3... a6

Black elects Morphy's Defence.

Piece names in various languages

The table contains names for all the pieces as well as the words for chess, check, and checkmate in several languages:^[6]

Language	King	Queen	Rook	Bishop	Knight	Pawn	Chess	Check	Checkmate/Mate
figurine	♔ ♚	♕ ♛	♖ ♜	♗ ♝	♘ ♞	♙ ♟	...	+	#
Afrikaans	K Koning (king)	D Dame (lady)	T Toring (tower)	L Loper (runner)	R Ruiter (rider)	(P) Pion	Skaak	Skaak	Skaakmat
Albanian	M Mbreti (king)	Msh Mbretëresha (queen)	Ku Kulla (tower)	O Oficeri (officer)	Ka Kali (horse)	(U) Ushtari (soldier)	Shahu	Shah	Shah mat
Arabic	م مَلِك (malik, king)	و وزير (wazïr, vizier)	ر رخ/طابية (rukhkh, fortress) / (ṭābiya, castle)	ف فيل (fīl, elephant)	ح حصان (ħiṣān, horse)	ب بيدق/عسكري (baidaq, pawn) / (`askarī, soldier)	شطرنج (shaṭranj)	كِش مَلِك (kish malik)	كِش مات (kish māt)
Armenian	Ա Արքա (A Ark῾a, king)	Թ Թագուհի (T T῾agowhi, queen)	Ն Նավակ (N Navak, ship)	Փ Փիղ (P P῾ił, elephant)	Ձ Ձի (Dz Ji, horse)	Զ Զինվոր (Z Zinvor, soldier)	Շախմատ (Ճատրակ) Šaxmat (Čatrak)	Շախ (Šax)	Մատ (Mat)
Basque	E Erregea (king)	D Dama (lady)	G Gaztelua (castle)	A Alfila (bishop)	Z Zaldula	(P) Peoia (pawn)	Xake	Xake	Xake mate
Belarusian	К кароль (king)	Вз візыр (queen)	Лд ладзьдзя (rook)	А афіцэр (officer)	В вершнік (rider)	(Л) латнік (pawn)	Шахматы	Шах	Мат
Bengali	R রাজা (Raja)	M মন্ত্রী (Montri)	N নৌকা (Nouka)	H গজ/হাতি (Goj)/(Hati)	G ঘোড়া (Ghora)	B বোড়া/সৈন্য/পেয়াদা (Bora)/(Sainya)/(Peyada)	দাবা (daba)	কিস্তি (kisti)	কিস্তিমাৎ (kistimat)
Bulgarian	Ц цар (king)	Д дама (lady)	Т топ (cannon)	О офицер (officer)	К кон (horse)	(П) пешка	Шахмат/Шах	Шах	(Шах и) мат
Catalan	R rei	D dama/reina (lady)/(queen)	T torre (tower)	A alfil	C cavall (horse)	(P) peó	Escacs	Escac/Xec	Escac i mat
Chinese	K 王 (Wáng, king)	Q 后 (Hòu, queen)	R 車 (Jū, chariot)	B 象 (Xiàng, elephant)	N 馬 (Mǎ, horse)	(P) 兵 (Bīng, soldier)	國際象棋 (Guójì Xiàngqí)	將軍 (Jiāngjūn, general)	將死 (Jiāngsǐ, checkmate)
Czech	K král (king)	D dáma (lady)	V věž (tower)	S střelec (shooter)	J jezdec (rider)	(P) pěšec (foot soldier)	Šachy	Šach	Mat
Danish	K konge (king)	D dronning (queen)	T tårn (tower)	L løber (runner)	S springer (jumper)	(B) bonde (peasant)	Skak	Skak	Skakmat
Dutch	K koning (king)	D dame/koningin (lady)/(queen)	T toren/kasteel (tower)/(castle)	L loper/raadsheer (runner)/(counsellor)	P paard (horse)	(pi) pion	Schaken	Schaak	Mat/Schaakmat
English^[7]	K king	Q queen	R rook, castle	B bishop	N/Kt knight	(P) pawn	Chess	Check	Checkmate/Mate
Esperanto	R reĝo (king)	D damo (lady)	T turo (tower)	K kuriero (courier)	Ĉ ĉevalo (horse)	(P) peono	Ŝako	Ŝak	Ŝakmato
Estonian	K kuningas (king)	L lipp	V vanker	O oda	R ratsu	(E) ettur	Male	Tuli	Matt
Finnish	K kuningas (king)	D daami/kuningatar (lady)/(queen)	T torni (tower)	L lähetti (messenger)	R ratsu (horse)	(S) sotilas (soldier)	Shakki	Shakki	Matti/Shakkimatti
French	R roi (king)	D dame (lady)	T tour (tower)	F fou (jester)	C cavalier (rider)	(P) pion	Échecs	Échec	Échec et mat
Georgian	მ მეფე (Mep'e)	ლ ლაზიერი (Lazieri)	ე ეტლი (Etli)	კ კუ (Ku)	მ მხედარი (Mkhedari')	პ პაიკი (Paiki)	ჭადრაკი (Čadraki)	ქიში (K'ishi)	შამათი (Shamat'i)
German^[8]^[9]^[10]	K König (king)	D Dame, Königin (lady, queen)	T Turm (tower)	L Läufer (runner)	S Springer, Pferd, Rössel (jumper, horse)	(B) Bauer (peasant)	Schach	Schach	Matt/Schachmatt
Greek	Ρ βασιλιάς (vasiliás, king)	Β βασίλισσα (vasílissa, queen)	Π πύργος (pýrgos, tower)	Α αξιωματικός (axiomatikós, officer)	Ι ίππος (íppos, horse)	(Σ) πιόνι (pióni, pawn)	Σκάκι (Skáki)	Σαχ (Sach)	Mατ (Mat)
Hebrew	מ מלך (Melech, king)	מה מלכה (Malka, queen)	צ צריח (Tzariach, tower)	ר רץ (Ratz, runner)	פ פרש (Parash, rider)	רגלי (Regli, foot-soldier)	שחמט (Shakhmat)	שח (Shakh)	מט (Mat)
Hindi	R राजा (rājā, king)	V वज़ीर (vazīr, vizier)	H हाथी (hāthī, elephant)	O ऊँट (ūṁṭ, camel)	G घोड़ा (ghoṛā, horse)	(P) प्यादा (pyādā, infantryman)	शतरंज (Shatranj)	शाह (Shāh)	शाहमात (Shāhmāt)
Hungarian	K király (king)	V vezér/királynõ (commander)/(queen)	B bástya (bastion)	F futó (runner)	H huszár/ló (hussar)/(horse)	(Gy) gyalog/paraszt (footman)/(peasant)	Sakk	Sakk	Matt
Ido	R rejo (king)	D damo (lady)	T turmo (tower)	E episkopo (bishop)	K kavalo (horse)	(P) piono	Shakoludo	Shako	Shakmato
Icelandic	K kóngur (king)	D drottning (queen)	H hrókur	B biskup (bishop)	R riddari (knight)	(P) peð	Skák	Skák	Skák og mát
Indonesian	R raja (king)	M menteri (minister/vizier)	B benteng (castle/fortress)	G gajah (elephant)	K kuda (horse)	(P) pion	Catur	Skak	Skak mati
Irish	R rí (king)	B banríon (queen)	C caiseal (bulwark)	E easpag (bishop)	D ridire (knight)	(F) fichillín/ceithearnach	Ficheall	Sáinn	Marbhsháinn
Italian	R re (king)	D donna (lady)	T torre (tower)	A alfiere (standard-bearer)	C cavallo (horse)	(P) pedone	Scacchi	Scacco	Scacco matto
Japanese	K キング (kingu)	Q クイーン (kuīn)	R ルーク (rūku)	B ビショップ (bishoppu)	N ナイト (naito)	(P) ポーン (pōn)	チェス (chesu)	王手/ チェック (chekku)	詰み/ チェックメイト (chekkumeito)
Kannada	R ರಾಜ (rājā, king)	M ಮಂತ್ರಿ (manthri, queen)	A ಆನೆ (āāne, elephant)	O ಒಂಟೆ (ōnté, camel)	K ಕುದುರೆ (kūďré, horse)	(P) ಸೈನಿಕ (śāìnìka, infantryman)	ಚದುರಂಗ (chaduranga)	(pending update)	(pending update)
Korean	K 킹 (king)	Q 퀸 (kwin)	R 룩 (rug)	B 비숍 (bi syob)	N 나이트 (na i teu)	(P) 폰 (pon)	체스 (ce seu)	체크 (ce keu)	체크메이트 (ce keu me i teu)
Latin	rex	regina	turris	signifer, cursor	eques	pedes	Scacci	Scaccus	Mattus
Latvian	K karalis (king)	D dāma (lady)	T tornis (tower)	L laidnis (bishop)	Z zirgs (cavallo)	(B) bandinieks	Šahs	Šahs	Šahs un mats
Lithuanian	K karalius	V valdovė	B bokštas	R rikis	Ž žirgas	(P) pėstininkas	Šachmatai	Šach	Matas
Luxembourgish	K kinnek	D damm	T tuerm (tower)	L leefer (runner)	P päerd (horse)	(B) bauer (farmer)	Schach	Schach	Schachmatt
Malayalam	K രാജാവ് (rajavu)	Q മന്ത്രി (manthri)	R തേര് (theru)	B ആന (anaa)	N/Kt കുതിര (kuthira)	(P) കാലാള്‍ / പടയാളി (kalal)/(padayali)	ചതുരംഗം (chathurangam)	ചെക്ക് check	ചെക്ക് മേറ്റ് check mate
Marathi	R राजा (rājā)	V वज़ीर (vajīr)	H हत्ती (hātti)	O उंट (Uant)	G घोड़ा (ghoda)	(P) प्यादे (pyāde)	बुद्धिबळ (buddhibal)	शह (shāh)	शहमात (shāhmāt)
Mongolian	Н ноён (lord)	Б бэрс (ferz)	т тэрэг (chariot)	Т тэмээ (camel)	М морь (rider)	(Х) хүү (paige)	Шатар	шаг, дуг, цод	мад
Norwegian Bokmål	K konge (king)	D dronning (queen)	T tårn (tower)	L løper (runner)	S springer (jumper)	(B) bonde (peasant)	Sjakk	Sjakk	Sjakkmatt
Norwegian Nynorsk	K konge (king)	D dronning (queen)	T tårn (tower)	L løpar (runner)	S springar (jumper)	(B) bonde (peasant)	Sjakk	Sjakk	Sjakkmatt
Persian	ش شاه	و وزیر	ق/ر قلعه/رخ	ف فیل	ا اسب	س سرباز	شطرنج	کیش	مات
Polish	K król (king)	H hetman	W wieża (tower)	G goniec (courier)	S skoczek (jumper)	(P) pion (pawn)	szachy	szach	mat (szach-mat / szach i mat)
Portuguese	R rei (king)	D dama/rainha (lady)/(queen)	T torre (tower)	B bispo (bishop)	C cavalo (horse)	(P) peão	Xadrez	Xeque	Xeque-mate
Romanian	R rege (king)	D damă/regină (lady)/(queen)	T turn (tower)	N nebun (fool, jester)	C cal (horse)	(P) pion	Şah	Şah	Mat
Russian	Кр король (king) Kr korol'	Ф ферзь (from Persian vizier) F ferz'	Л ладья (boat) L ladʹjá	С слон (elephant) S slon	К конь (horse) K kon'	(П) пешка P péška	шахматы šáxmaty	шах šax	мат mat
Serbo-Croatian	К/K краљ / kralj	Д/D краљицa / kraljica	Т/T топ / top	Л/L ловац / lovac	С/S скaкaч / skakač	(П) пjешак / pješak	Шах / Šah	Шах / Šah	Мат / Mat
Northern Sotho	К Kgoši	Kg Kgošigadi	N Ntlosebô/Moshate	Mp Mopišopo	M Mogale	S Seitšhireletšo	Chess	Check	Checkmate
Sicilian	R re	D riggina	T turru	A alferu	S scecchu	(P) pidinu	Scacchi
Slovak	K kráľ (king)	D dáma (lady)	V veža (tower)	S strelec (shooter)	J jazdec (horseman)	(P) pešiak (infantryman, pawn)	Šach	Šach	Mat/Šachmat
Slovene	K kralj	D dama	T trdnjava	L lovec	S skakač	(P) kmet	Šah	Šah	Mat/Šahmat
Spanish	R rey (king)	D dama/reina (lady/queen)	T torre (tower)	A alfil	C caballo (horse)	(P) peón (foot-soldier)	Ajedrez	Jaque	Jaque mate
Swedish	K kung	D dam/drottning (lady)/(queen)	T torn (tower)	L löpare (runner)	S springare/häst (horse)	(B) bonde (peasant)	Schack	Schack	Schack matt
Tamil	K அரசன் (arasaṉ)	Q அரசி (arasi)	R கோட்டை (kōṭṭai)	B அமைச்சர் / மந்திரி (amaicchar) / (manthiri)	N/Kt குதிரை (kuthirai)	(P) காலாள் / சிப்பாய் (kālāḷ) / (cippāy)	சதுரங்கம் (sathurankam)	முற்றுகை (muṟṟukai)	இறுதி முற்றுகை (iṟuti muṟṟukai)
Telugu	రాజు (rāju)	మంత్రి (maṃtri)	ఏనుగు (ēnugu)	శకటు (śakaţu)	గుర్రం (gurraṃ)	బంటు (baṃţu)	చదరంగం (cadaraṃgaṃ)	దాడి (dāḍi)	కట్టు (kaţţu)
Thai	ข ขุน (khun, king)	ต เม็ด (ตรี/มนตรี) (met (trī/montrī), counselor)	ร เรือ (reūa, ship)	ค โคน (khōn, elephant)	ม ม้า (mā, horse)	(บ) เบี้ย (bīa, menial)	หมากรุก (mākruk)	รุก (ruk, invade)	จน (jon, checkmate)
Turkish	Ş/K şah/kral	V vezir	K kale	F fil	A at	(P) er/piyon	Satranç	Şah	Mat
Ukrainian	Kр король	Ф ферзь	T тура	C слон	K кінь	(П) пішак	Шахи	Шах	Мат
Urdu	بادشاہ (bādshāh)	وزیر (vazīr)	رخ (rukh)	فيلہ (fiyalah)	گھوڑا (ghōṛā)	پیادہ (pyādah)	شطرنج (šaṭranj)	شہ (sheh)	شہمات (shehmāt)
Vietnamese	V Vua	H Hậu	X Xe	T Tượng	M Mã	_ Tốt	Cờ vua	Chiếu	Chiếu bí/Chiếu hết
Welsh	T teyrn/brenin	B brenhines	C castell	E esgob	M marchog	(G) gwerinwr	Gwyddbwyll	Siach	Siachmat

Kindred notations

Besides the FIDE standard (or short) algebraic notation (SAN) already described, several similar systems are in use for their own particular advantages.

Figurine algebraic notation

Figurine algebraic notation (or FAN) is a widely used variation of algebraic notation which substitutes a piece symbol for the letter representing a piece, for example: ♞c6 in place of Nc6. (Pawns are omitted.) This enables moves to be read independent of language.

The Unicode Miscellaneous Symbols set includes all the symbols necessary for FAN. In order to display or print these symbols, one has to have one or more fonts with good Unicode support installed on the computer, that the Web page, or word processor document, etc., uses.^[11]

Long algebraic notation

Some computer programs (and people) use a variant of algebraic chess notation termed long algebraic notation or fully expanded algebraic notation. In long algebraic notation, moves specify both the starting and ending squares separated by a hyphen, for example: e2-e4 or Nb1-c3. Captures are still indicated using "x": Rd3xd7.

The long notation takes more space and thus is not as commonly used. However, it has the advantage of clarity, particularly for less-skilled players or players learning the game. Some books using primarily short algebraic notation use the long notation instead of the disambiguation forms described earlier.

A form of long algebraic notation (without hyphens) is also notably used by the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) standard which is a common way for graphical Chess programs to communicate with Chess Engines (eg: for AI).

Numeric notation

In international correspondence chess the use of algebraic notation may cause confusion, since different languages employ different names (and therefore different letters) for the pieces; hence the standard for transmitting moves in this form of chess is ICCF numeric notation.

PGN for computer storage

Chess games are often stored in computer files using Portable Game Notation (PGN),^[12] which uses algebraic chess notation as well as additional markings to codify a game. As mentioned, PGN requires uppercase letter O to represent castling (e.g. O-O), while the FIDE Handbook uses digit zero (0-0).

Annotation symbols

Main article: Chess annotation symbols

Though not technically a part of algebraic notation, the following are some common symbols frequently used by annotators to give evaluative comment on a move:

!! (an excellent move)
! (a particularly good—and usually surprising—move)
!? (an interesting move that may not be best)
?! (a dubious move – one which may turn out to be bad)
? (a bad move)
?? (a blunder)
+/- (clear white advantage)
+/= (white is slightly better)
= (equality in the position)
=/+ (black is slightly better)
-/+ (clear black advantage)
□ (the only possible move)
TN or N (a theoretical novelty)

The symbol chosen is simply appended to the end of the move notation, for example: 1.d4 e5?!

For Position evaluation symbols visit