Chess Notation

Algebraic notation is important for studying, and
recording your games for later review,
Just follow the easy 5-step plan to success!

- ONE -
The following notation is algebraic, the most popuar notation in use today.
Each piece has a CAPITAL LETTER as its symbol:
    K=King
    Q=Queen
    R=Rook
    N=kNight (K is used for the king)
    B=Bishop
No symbol is used for pawns

- TWO -
Each square also has a symbol, or coordinates.
Each rank (or row ) has a number, 1-8, counting from white's side to black's.
Each file (or column) has a lowercase letter, a-h, going from white's left to white's right.
Each square can then be labeled by its letter, then its number.
    For example: White's king starts out on square e1, and black's is on e8.
To check out the coordinates, look at the numbers and letters around each mate problem!
HINT: For easy notation, set up your board so that the numbers and letters line up correctly.

- THREE -
To move a piece, write its name letter, followed by the square it is moving to.
    For example: Nc3 means "move Knight to c3."
                         c3 alone means "move pawn to c3" since pawn is assumed.
Each pair of moves (white's and black's) are recorded in order, starting with white.
They are often stored in a table like the following, but can be written on one line, too.

- FOUR -
There are many special moves, which are notated as follows:

- To capture a piece write x between the piece and the square of capture.
    For example: Nxg3 means "Knight captures whatever is on the square g3."
For pawns, write the file they are on instead of the piece name.
    For example: hxg3 means "the pawn on the h file captures whatever is on g3."

- To castle, write 0-0 for king's side (short), or 0-0-0 for queen's side (long).

- To promote a pawn when it reaches the first or eight rank, write the letter of the piece it is to promote to in parentheses.
    For example: g8 (N) means "move pawn to g8, and turn it into a Knight."

- FIVE -
And some commments for moves:
! = good move
? = questionable move
+ = check
++ = double check (sometimes used for check mate)
#, mate = check mate

! SUCCESS !
Now you should be able to read the solutions to our mates, and record any game you play!
Being able to read chess is also important for studying openings... Try to read the following variation of the Ruy Lopez opening (for white), which wins a queen. Set up a board with the square a1 at the bottom left for white, and play it out.