Chess Notation

Full algebraic notation

The rows of squares on the chessboard are called ranks and the columns of squares are called files. The ranks are labelled from 1 to 8 and the files are labelled from a - h. We use these numbers and letters to describe where pieces are on the chessboard.

The moves are written in two numbered vertical columns. The first column is for the White moves and the second column is for the Black moves. First of all the symbol for the piece is written, then the square on which this piece was standing, then a hyphen (-), then the square to which this piece moves. If a pawn moves the symbol is omitted.

1.	f2-f4	e7-e5
2.	f4xe5	d7-d6
3.	e5xd6	Bf8xd6

Symbols

The following symbols are used in the notation:
K King
Q Queen
R Rook
B Bishop
N kNight
x Capture
+ Check
# Checkmate
o-o Short-Castling
o-o-o Long-Castling
Note that "P" is not used. A move without a letter — such as e4-e5 — is understood to be a pawn move.

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