Algebraic notation (chess)

Algebraic notation (or AN) is a method for recording and describing the moves in a game of chess. It is based on a system of coordinates to uniquely identify each square on the chessboard. It is now standard among all chess organizations and most books, magazines, and newspapers. In English-speaking countries, the parallel method of descriptive notation was generally used in chess publications until about 1980. Some older players still use descriptive notation, but it is no longer recognized by FIDE.

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, are labeled a through h from White's left (the queenside) to right (the kingside). 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. English-speaking players use the letters 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).

Players who speak other languages may employ different letters, for example, French-speaking players use F for bishop (from fou). In chess literature, especially that intended for an international audience, the language-specific letters are often replaced by universal icons for the pieces, for example, Nf3 is represented as ♞f3. This style is known as figurine algebraic 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). For pawn moves, a letter indicating pawn is not used, only the destination square is given. For example, c5 (move a pawn to c5).

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

• Horizontally:

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

Moves may be interspersed with commentary (annotations). When the game 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.

History

Descriptive notation was usual in the Middle Ages in Europe. However, a form of algebraic chess notation, that seems to have been borrowed from Muslim chess, appeared in Europe in a 12th-century manuscript, referred to as MS. Paris Fr. 1173 (PP.). The files run from a to h, just as they do in the current standard algebraic notation. The ranks, however, are also designated by letters, with the exception of the 8th rank which is distinct because it has no letter. The ranks are lettered in reverse – from the 7th to the 1st: k, l, m, n, o, p, q.^[6]

Another system of notation using only letters appears in a book of Mediaeval chess, Rechenmeister Jacob Köbel's Schachzabel Spiel of 1520.^[7]

Algebraic notation is described in 1847 by Howard Staunton in his book The Chess-Player's Handbook. Staunton credits the idea to German authors, and in particular to "Alexandre, Jaenisch and the 'Handbuch.' "^[8]

• 
  Chess diagram found in a French manuscript dated 1173
• 
  Chess diagram from Jacob Köbel's 1520 German book about Mediæval chess, Schachzabel Spiel
• 
  Chess diagram showing algebraic notation in Howard Staunton's The Chess-Player's Handbook

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.^[9] NB: alfil is a chess-specific loanword from Arabic which has lost its original meaning of "elephant" in the European languages that use it for the piece called bishop in English.

Kindred notations

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

PGN for computer storage

Chess games are often stored in computer files using Portable Game Notation (PGN),^[15] 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

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
• ?  a bad move; a mistake
• ??  a blunder
• !?  an interesting move that may not be best
• ?!  a dubious move or move that may turn out to be bad
• ⌓  a better move than the one played
• □  the only reasonable move, or the only move available
• TN or N  a theoretical novelty

To give evaluative comment on a position:

• =  equal chances for both players
• +/= (or ⩲)  White has a slight plus
• =/+ (or ⩱)  Black has a slight plus
• +/− (or ±)  White has a clear plus
• −/+ (or ∓)  Black has a clear plus
• +−  White has a winning advantage
• −+  Black has a winning advantage
• ∞  unclear whether either side has an advantage
• =/∞  whoever is down in material has compensation for it

The symbol chosen is simply appended to the end of the move notation, for example: 1.d4 e5?! 2.dxe5 f6 3.e4! Nc6 4.Bc4+/−

See also

• Chess notation
• Descriptive chess notation

References

External links

The Wikibook Chess has a page on the topic of: Notating The Game

Look up algebraic notation or Appendix:Algebraic notation in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• FIDE rules on algebraic notation (see appendix C)
• Algebraic Chess Notation Exercise