ChessschoolLearn algebraic chess notation
Move notation lets you replay games and explain a position precisely.
Squares and piece letters
A square combines its file and rank, such as e4. English notation uses K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop and N for knight. Pawns have no piece letter. Dutch sources use different piece letters.
Captures and special signs
Nf3 means a knight moves to f3. Bxe5 is a bishop capture on e5. A pawn capture includes its starting file, such as exd5. A plus marks check and # marks checkmate. O-O means kingside castling; O-O-O means queenside castling.
Replay before memorising
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6, put each move on a board. If two identical pieces could legally reach the same square, notation identifies the starting file or rank, for example Nbd2. Promotion can be written e8=Q.
Try it yourself
What does Nxf7+ mean?
Check the answer
A knight captures on f7 and gives check.
Put it into practice
Open the related lesson Practise with puzzles
Sources and corrections
For the official rules, see the FIDE Laws of Chess. Found an error? Send the position and page address.