Algebraic Notation
"The standard system for recording chess moves using square coordinates (e.g. e4, Nf3, O-O)."
In-Depth Explanation
Algebraic notation is the international standard for writing chess moves. Files are labeled a–h, ranks 1–8. Piece letters are K (king), Q (queen), R (rook), B (bishop), N (knight); pawns have no letter. Castling is O-O or O-O-O, capture uses x, check is +, checkmate is #. Learning algebraic notation is essential for reading books, studying PGN files, and using analysis tools.
Recommended Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
Descriptive notation (e.g. P-K4) is obsolete. Algebraic is the FIDE standard and what all modern software uses.
Portable Game Notation stores full games in algebraic notation with headers (players, event, result). Plychess can import, clean, and analyze PGN files.
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