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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. The form most commonly used, and primarily described here, 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 in English chess literature, although this notation can be found in older literature. Algebraic notation was already commonly used in other languages. NAMING SQUARES ON THE BOARD The notation begins by identifying each square of the Chessboard with a unique coordinate. First, the ''files'' (that is, lines running parallel to the direction the players are facing) are labelled with lowercase letters a through '''h''', from the left of the "white" player. So the "a" file is to white's left, and to black's right. Then the ''ranks'' (lines running horizontally between the players) are numbered from 1 to '''8''', starting from white's home rank. Thus, black's home rank is rank 8. Each square of the board, then, is uniquely identified by its file letter and rank number. The white king, for example, starts the game on square e1. The black knight on b8 can move to '''a6''', '''c6''' or d7 (provided the squares are vacant). NAMING THE PIECES Each type of piece (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter, usually the first letter in the name of that piece in whatever language is spoken by the player recording. English-speaking players use K for King , Q for Queen , '''R''' for Rook , B for Bishop , and '''N''' for Knight (since K is already used). '''S''' was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation, from the German ''Springer'' (this is still used in Chess Problem s, where N stands for the popular Fairy Chess Piece , the Nightrider ). Players may use different letters in other languages. 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, producing Figurine Notation . Pawns are not indicated by a letter, but by the absence of such a letter—it is not necessary to distinguish between pawns for normal moves, as only one pawn can move to any one square (captures are indicated differently; see below). NOTATION FOR MOVES Each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's 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 initial in the case of pawn moves). In some publications, the pieces are indicated by graphical representations rather than by initials: for example, . Notation for captures When a piece makes a capture, an x is inserted between the initial and 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 in place of a piece initial. For example, exd5 (pawn on the '''e'''-file captures the piece on d5). A Colon (''':''') is sometimes used instead, either in the same place the ''x'' would go ('''B:e5''') or after the move ('''Be5:'''). '' En Passant '' captures (see Pawn ) are specified by the capturing pawn's file of departure, the x, and the square to which it moves (not the location of the captured pawn), optionally followed by the notation "e.p." 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. Disambiguating moves If two identical pieces can move to the same square, the piece's initial is followed by: (1) if both pieces are on the same rank, the file of departure; (2) if both pieces are on the same file, the rank of departure. If pieces are on different ranks and files, method (1) is preferred. For example, with two knights on g1 and '''d2''', either of which might move to f3, the move is indicated as '''Ngf3''' or Ndf3, as appropriate. With two knights on g5 and '''g1''', the moves are '''N5f3''' or N1f3. As above, an x may be used to indicate a capture: for example, N5xf3. 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). Pawn promotion If a pawn moves to its last rank, achieving promotion, the piece chosen is indicated after the move, for example e1Q, '''b8B'''. Sometimes an "=" sign is used: f8=Q. Castling requires O-O and '''O-O-O''' instead). Optionally, it may be indicated by the king's move; for example, '''Kg1'''. Check and checkmate A move which places the opponent's King in Check may have the notation "+" added. Some use † . (Sometimes ''ch'' is used to indicate check.) Checkmate can likewise be indicated "#" (some use "++" instead, but the United States Chess Federation recommends "#"). Sometimes ‡ is used. The word 'mate' written at the end of the notation is also acceptable. End of game The notation 1-0 at the end of the moves indicates that white won, '''0-1''' indicates that black won, and '''½-½''' indicates a Draw . EXAMPLE Moves are generally written in one of two ways. (1) written in two columns, as a white/black pair, preceded by the move number and a period: :1. e4 e5 :2. Nf3 Nc6 :3. Bb5 a6 (2) in text: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6. Moves may be interspersed with text. When the score resumes with a black move, an Ellipsis (...) takes the place of the white move, for example: :1. e4 e5 :2. Nf3 :Black now defends his pawn''' :2. ... Nc6 :3. Bb5 a6 See Sample Chess Game . NAMING THE PIECES IN VARIOUS LANGUAGES Here are the piece abbreviations used in various languages: SIMILAR NOTATIONS PGN Chess games are often stored in computer files using Portable Game Notation (PGN), which uses algebraic chess notation as well as additional markings to describe a game. 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 fully expanded algebraic notation, moves include both the starting and ending position separated by a hyphen. Examples include "e2-e4". Notations from short algebraic notation are frequently used in long algebraic notation in such constructions as "Nb1-c3" or "Rd3xd7". This 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. Numeric notation In international Correspondence Chess the use of algebraic notation may cause confusion, since different languages have different names (and therefore different initials) for the pieces; hence the standard for transmitting moves in this form of chess is ICCF Numeric Notation . COMMON SHORTHAND NOTATION The following short-hand notations are frequently used to comment moves:
and many others. See Punctuation (chess) for a more complete list. SEE ALSO EXTERNAL LINKS
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