Chess Notation Explained: A Complete Beginner's Guide
Learn how to read and write chess moves using algebraic notation. Understand every symbol you'll encounter in chess books and apps.
What is Chess Notation?
Chess notation is a standardized system for recording chess moves. It allows players to write down their games, study famous matches, and communicate moves with others. The most common system is algebraic notation, used worldwide since the 19th century.
The Chess Board Coordinates
The chessboard has 64 squares, each with a unique name. Files (columns) are labeleda through h from left to right. Ranks (rows) are numbered 1 through 8 from bottom to top.
Key points: White's pieces start on ranks 1-2, Black's on ranks 7-8. The bottom-right corner is always h1 (a white square).
Piece Symbols
Each piece has a one-letter symbol. The pawn has no symbol—its moves are written as just the square name.
How to Write a Move
A move is written as: Piece + Destination Square
Pawn moves to e4 (no piece symbol)
Knight moves to f3
Bishop moves to b5
Queen captures on d7, with check
Special Symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| x | Capture | Bxe5 (Bishop takes on e5) |
| + | Check | Qh5+ (Queen to h5, check) |
| ++ | Double Check | Nf6++ (Knight to f6, double check) |
| # | Checkmate | Qh7# (Queen to h7, checkmate) |
| O-O | Kingside Castle | Short castle, King goes to g1 |
| O-O-O | Queenside Castle | Long castle, King goes to c1 |
| = | Promotion | e8=Q (Pawn promotes to Queen) |
| e.p. | En Passant | exd6 e.p. (En passant capture) |
Move Annotations
Chess writers use symbols to evaluate moves. You'll see these in books and analysis.
Example: Reading a Famous Opening
Here's the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest chess openings. Each move is explained:
White moves King's pawn two squares forward
Black mirrors, moving King's pawn
White develops Knight to f3, attacking e5
Black defends e5 with Knight
Ruy Lopez! White's Bishop pins the Knight
Morphy Defense - Black questions the Bishop
Disambiguation: When Pieces Collide
Sometimes two pieces of the same type can move to the same square. We add the file or rank to clarify:
Rook from the a-file moves to d1 (when another rook is on e1)
Rook on rank 1 moves to d3 (when another rook is on d5)
Queen from h4 moves to e1 (rare but possible)
PGN Format
PGN (Portable Game Notation) is the standard format for storing chess games. Here's what it looks like:
[Event "World Championship"] [Site "London"] [Date "2026.03.15"] [White "Magnus Carlsen"] [Black "Fabiano Caruana"] [Result "1-0"] 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 d6 8. c3 O-O 9. h3 Nb8 10. d4 Nbd7 1-0
The header contains metadata, then the moves in standard notation. Our Analysis Lab can import PGN files directly!
Practice What You've Learned
Now that you understand chess notation, try analyzing your own games! Import any PGN into our free Stockfish-powered analysis tool.