Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. The History of Notation
3. Algebraic Notation
   1. Algebraic Notation, Short Form
      • Essential Abbreviations
   2. Algebraic Notation, Long Form
      • Essential Abbreviations
   3. Descriptive Notation
      • Essential Abbreviations
4. PGN Format of Finished Games
5. Converting Descriptive Notation to Algebraic Notation
6. Conclusion

1. Introduction

   This document was originally written for a Chess SIG I used to manage on a friends BBS. Since then, I have decided to upgrade this document, including a section on descriptive notation, as well as a comparison of a chess game, written in both descriptive and algebraic notation. This way you get some idea on how both systems work. A few users of the "X" BBS asked me just exactly why I posted 10 screenfulls of line noise one day, referring to a message which contained chess moves. To the casual player of chess, he or she has no clues as to what 1. d4 would represent. I have decided to write a document file explaining what the notation means, so that people who do play chess would have a better understanding as to what the chess moves represented. Explaining the notation aspect of chess to someone not familiar with it is about as easy as explaining how a batch file works to someone who doesn't use a computer, it's all greek to them. Any comments/corrections can be sent to my E-Mail address posted at the start of this document.

2. The History of Notation

   The game of chess is fortunate in that it possesses a method of recording the score of a game, known as notation. This has meant that games and problems going back a thousand years have been preserved. Two main kinds of notation exist or have existed; the algebraic and the descriptive. The oldest form is the descriptive but in the ninth and tenth centuries AD the Arabs introduced the algebraic notation. Only a select few employed the algebraic and when the game came to Europe descriptive notation was almost uniquely used until the eighteenth century. Then, with the coming of Stamma of Aleppo, the algebraic was re- introduced into the game and adopted by the German speaking peoples. Nowadays the algebraic is used throughout the world with the exception of the USA, Britain and Spain which still use the descriptive. {Note: Very few chess players still use the descriptive, although one exception is Andy Soltis in his column for Chess Life magazine entitled "Chess to Enjoy" which covers a lot of the earlier chess games played.} In 1976 FIDE decided to recognize one system of notation - the algebraic. We quote from the minutes of the FIDE Congress at Haifa: `FIDE recognizes for its own tournaments and matches only one system of notation, the algebraic system. Scoresheets using a notation system other then the algebraic may not be used as evidence in cases where normally the scoresheet of a player is used for that purpose. An arbiter who observes that a player is using any other notation system than the algebraic should warn the player in question of this requirement.' To this is added a footnote stating that the provisions of this paragraph become effective on 1 January 1981.

3. Algebraic Notation

   There are various types of notation that we can use and will be recognized when people are playing chess. We can look at two different types of Algebraic Notation in this document, Short and Long forms.

   1. Algebraic Notation, Short Form

      The report of the FIDE Rules Commission for 1976 describes the algebraic notation as follows:
      1. Each piece is indicated by the first letter, a capital letter, of its name. Examples: K=King, Q=Queen, R=Rook, B=Bishop, N=Knight (in the case of the Knight, for convenience's sake, N is used.)
      2. Pawns are not indicated by their first letter, but are recognized by the absence of such a letter. Examples: e5, d4, a5.
      3. The eight files (from left to right for White and from right to left for Black) are indicated by the small letters a, b, c, d, e, f, g, and h respectively.
      4. The eight ranks (from bottom to top for White and from top to bottom for Black) are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Consequently, in the initial position the White pieces and pawns are placed on the first and second ranks; the Black pieces and pawns on the seventh and eighth ranks.

         a8	b8	c8	d8	e8	f8	g8	h8
         a7	b7	c7	d7	e7	f7	g7	h7
         a6	b6	c6	d6	e6	f6	g6	h6
         a5	b5	c5	d5	e5	f5	g5	h5
         a4	b4	c4	d4	e4	f4	g4	h4
         a3	b3	c3	d3	e3	f3	g3	h3
         a2	b2	c2	d2	e2	f2	g2	h2
         a1	b1	c1	d1	e1	f1	g1	h1

          

      5. As a consequence of the previous rules, each of the sixty-four squares in invariably indicated by a unique combination of a letter and a number.
      6. Each move of a piece is indicated by (a) the first letter of the piece in question and (b) the square of arrival. There is no hyphen between (a) and (b). Examples: Be5, Nf3, Rd1. In the case of pawns, only the square of arrival is indicated. Examples: e5, d4, a5.
      7. When a piece makes a capture, an x is inserted between (a) the first letter of the piece in question and (b) the square of arrival. Examples: Bxe5, Nxf3, Rxd1. When a pawn makes a capture, not only the square of arrival but also the file of departure must be indicated, followed by an x. Examples: dxe5, gxf3, axb5. In the case of en passant, the square of arrival is given as the square on which the capturing pawn finally rests and `e.p.' is appended to the notation.
      8. If two identical pieces can move to the same square, the piece that is moved is indicated as follows:
         1. If both pieces are on the same rank: by (a) the first letter of the name of the piece, (b) the file of departure and (c) the square of arrival. Example: There are two Knights, on the squares g1 and d2 and one of them moves to the square f3; either Ngf3 or Ndf3, as the case may be.
         2. If both pieces are on the same file: by (a) the first letter of the name of the piece, (b) the number of the square of departure and (c) the square of arrival. Example: There are two Knights, on the squares g5 and g1, and one of them moves to the square f3; either N5f3 or N1f3, as the case may be.
         3. If the pieces are on different ranks and files, method (1) is preferred. In case of a capture, an x must be inserted between (b) and (c). Example: There are two Knights, on the squares h2 and d4, and one of them moves to the square f3, as the case may be. If a capture takes place on the square f3, the previous examples are changed by the insertion of an x; (a) either Ngxf3 or Ndxf3, (b) either N5xf3 or N1xf3, (c) either Nhxf3 or Ndxf3, as the case may be.
      9. If two pawns can capture the same piece or pawn of the opponent, the pawn that is moved is indicated by (a) the letter of the file or departure, (b) an x and (c) the square of arrival. Example: If there are White pawns on the squares c4 and e4, and a Black pawn or piece on the square d5, the notation for White's move is either cxd5 or exd5, as the case may be.
      10. In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed immediately by an equal sign (=) and the first letter of the new piece. Examples: d8=Q, f8=N, b1=B, g1=R.

      Essential Abbreviations:
      Many abbreviations are used to classify various aspects of chess used in notation. The following are valid:

      • O-O : Castling with the rook at either h1 (Black) or h8 (White). This is known as a King-Side Castle.
      • O-O-O : Castling with the rook at either a1 (White) or a8 (Black). This is known as a Queen-Side Castle.
      • x : Captures.
      • + : Check.
      • # : Checkmate.
      • e.p. : En Passant (rarely used).

   2. Algebraic Notation, Long Form

      1. Each move in the long form is indicated by
         • the first letter of the piece in question,
         • the square of departure, and
         • the square of arrival.
         Pawns are not indicated by their first letter, but are recognized by the absence of such a letter. The squares of departure and of arrival are joined by a hyphen. Examples: Bd4-e5, Ng1-f3, Ra1-d1, e4-e5, d2-d4.
      2. When a piece or pawn makes a capture, the hyphen is replaced by an x. Examples: Bd4xe5, Ng1xf3, Ra1xd1, e4xf5, d2xe3.
      Essential Abbreviations:
      Many abbreviations are used to classify various aspects of chess used in notation. The following are valid:
      • O-O : Castling with the rook at either h1 (Black) or h8 (White). This is known as a King-Side Castle.
      • O-O-O : Castling with the rook at either a1 (White) or a8 (Black). This is known as a Queen-Side Castle.
      • x : Captures.
      • + : Check.
      • # : Checkmate.
      • e.p. : En Passant (rarely used).

   3. Descriptive Notation

      The report of the FIDE Rules Commission for 1976 states that the Descriptive notation is recognized until 1 January 1981 (for FIDE competitions); meanwhile the Commission describes it as follows:
      1. Each piece and pawn is indicated by the first letter, a capital letter, of its name. The pieces on the Queen's side of the board in the initial position are indicated by a Q preceeding to distinguish them from the similar pieces on the King's side of the board in the initial position, indicated by a K preceeding. Examples: R, N (or Kt), B, QR, KN.
      2. For the first letter of the name of the piece, each player is free to use the first letter of the name which is commonly used in his country. Examples: F = fou (French for Bishop), L = loper (Dutch for Bishop).
      3. The eight files (from left to right for White and from right to left for Black) are indicated by the pieces which occupy them in their initial positions: QR, QN, QB, Q, K, KB, KN and KR.
      4. The eight ranks (each player counting from bottom to top from his side) are indicated by 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 respectively. Consequently, in the initial position the White pieces and pawns are placed on the first and second ranks, the Black pieces and pawns on the seventh and eighth ranks from White's side and vice versa from Black's side.
         

         QR1 QR8	QN1 QN8	QB1 QB8	Q1 Q8	K1 K8	KB1 KB8	KN1 KN8	KR1 KR8
         QR2 QR7	QN2 QN7	QB2 QB7	Q2 Q7	K2 K7	KB2 KB7	KN2 KN7	KR2 KR7
         QR3 QR6	QN3 QN6	QB3 QB6	Q3 Q6	K3 K6	KB3 KB6	KN3 KN6	KR3 KR6
         QR4 QR5	QN4 QN5	QB4 QB5	Q4 Q5	K4 K5	KB4 KB5	KN4 KN5	KR4 KR5
         QR5 QR4	QN5 QN4	QB5 QB4	Q5 Q4	K5 K4	KB5 KB4	KN5 KN4	KR5 KR4
         QR6 QR3	QN6 QN3	QB6 QB3	Q6 Q3	K6 K3	KB6 KB3	KN6 KN3	KR6 KR3
         QR7 QR2	QN7 QN2	QB7 QB2	Q7 Q2	K7 K2	KB7 KB2	KN7 KN2	KR7 KR2
         QR8 QR1	QN8 QN1	QB8 QB1	Q8 Q1	K8 K1	KB8 KB1	KN8 KN1	KR8 KR1

          

      5. As a consequence of the preceeding rules, each of the sixty-four squares is indicated by two combinations of letters and numbers, depending upon whether White's or Black's move is being recorded.
      6. Each pawn is indicated by the file on which it stands: QRP, QNP, QBP, QP, KP, KBP, KNP, KRP.
      7. A move to a vacant square is indicated by (a) the first letter(s) of the piece or pawn in question and (b) the square of arrival, joined by a hyphen. When a move is written down, the basic forms R, N, B, and P (additionally, in the case of a pawn, the semi-condensed forms RP, NP, and BP), are used when only one piece or pawn of the specified type can move as indicated or if a recorded check identifies the move or capture. Examples: R-N3, B-B5, P-B4+.
      8. A capture is indicated by the first letter(s) of the capturing and captures pieces or pawns, joined by a x. Examples: BxB, QxR, PxP, PxBP.
      9. When a basic form would be ambiguous at any point in the indicated move.
         • a King-side or Queen-side piece or pawn is specified if the piece or pawn can easily be so identified;
         • the basic form is used, followed by a stroke (/) and the rank (preferably) or the file on which the piece or pawn stands, whichever will unambiguously identify the piece or pawn. (More usual, however, is the use of brackets instead of a stroke.)
         Examples:
         • There are two Knights, on the squares KN1 and Q2, and one of them moves to the square KB3; either KN-B3 or QN-B3, as the case may be.
         • There are two Knights, on the squares KN5 and KN1, and one of them moves to the square KB3; either N/5-B3 or N/1-B3, as the case may be. If a capture takes place on the square KB3, the previous examples are changed by the substitution of an x for the hyphen and of the first letter(s) of the c aptured piece or pawn for the square on which the capture takes place:
           1. either KNxR or QNxR,
           2. either N/5xR or N/1xR, as the case may be.
      10. In the case of a promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed by a stroke or an equal sign and the first letter(s) of a new piece. Examples: PxR/Q or PxR=Q. In a slightly different form of the descriptive system used in non-English speaking countries, the rank precedes the square of arrival without a hyphen. Examples (in Spanish): P4AD, C3AR, P4D.

      Essential Abbreviations:
      Many abbreviations are used to classify various aspects of chess used in notation. The following are valid:

      • O-O : Castling with the rook at either h1 (Black) or h8 (White). This is known as a King-Side Castle.
      • O-O-O : Castling with the rook at either a1 (White) or a8 (Black). This is known as a Queen-Side Castle.
      • x : Captures.
      • + : Check.
      • # : Checkmate.
      • e.p. : En Passant (rarely used).

4. PGN format of finished chess games

   PGN was originally developed so that a standard format of games could be used by chess-based software. Since the advent of E-Mail Correspondance Chess, this format has also been used successfully for sending each person games in progresd also to have a record of the chess game which can be read by all people, regardless of if the person is using chess software or not. Many pieces of Chess Database software, including Chessbase, Chess Assistant, Bookup, etc., can import a number of .PGN games. The advantage of this is that if you are studying for a tournament, you can research which openings work. Learning openings is the 'key' to learning chess.

   [Event "Rated Standard Match"]
   [Site "X BBS"]
   [Date "1995.11.05"]
   [Round "1"]
   [White "Fischer, Bobby"]
   [Black "Botvinnik, Mikhail"]
   [Result "1-0"]
   

   1. Nf3 Nc6 2. g3 h6 3. Bg2 e5 4. d3 Bc5 5. e4 Nge7 6. Be3 b6 7. d4 exd4 8. Nxd4 O-O 9. c3 Bb7 10. O-O Ng6 11. Nxc6 Bxc6 12. Bxc5 bxc5 13. f4 f6 14. Qh5 Qe7 15. Qxg6 1-0

   [Event "Rated Standard Match"]
   This label tell us which chess event we played in.
   

   [Site "X BBS"]
   This label tells us exactly where the game was played.

   [Round "?"]
   Use the "?" for all games except in Matches similar to the Swiss. So if you were playing 4 rounds, you would specify each game as the round you played.

   [Date "1995.11.05"]
   This label tells us when the game was played. In the above example, the game was played November 5, 1995 (1995.11.05).

   [White "Fischer, Bobby"]
   Which player player White. Last name first, first name last.

   [Black "Botvinnik, Mikhail"]
   Which player played Black. Last name first, first name last.

   [Result "1-0"]
   White won.

   [Result "0-1"]
   Black won.

   [Result "1/2-1/2"]
   A draw was agreed upon.

5. Converting Descriptive Notation to Algebraic Notation

   To better explain the differences between descriptive and algebraic notation, let's look at a chess game, one is in descriptive notation, the other is in Algebraic/PGN notation. Same game, different notation.

   WHITE: Fischer;
   BLACK: Matulovic
   Ruy Lopez

   1.P-K4, P-K4; 2.N-KB3, N-QB3; 3.B-N5, P-B4; 4.N-B3, PxP; 5.QNxP, P-Q4; 6.NxP, PxN; 7.NxN, Q-N4; 8.Q-K2, N-B3; 9.P-KB4, QxBP; 10.P-Q4, Q-R5+; 11.P-N3, Q-R6; 12.B-N5, P-QR3; 13.B-QR4, B-Q2; 14.BxN, PxB; 15.QxP+ K-B2; 16.N-K5+, PxN; 17.R-B1+, K-K2; 18.BxB, KxB; 19.R-B7+ K-K1; 20.RxBP, B-Q3; 21.RxNP, R-QB1; 22. O-O-O, QxRP; 23.PxP, B-K2; 24.RxB+, KxR; 25.Q-N7+, K-K3; 26.Q-Q7+, KxP; 27.Q-Q5+, K-B3; 28.R-B1+, K-N3; 29.Q-B5+, K-R3; 30.Q-K6+, K-R4; 31.R-B5+, K-N5; 32.R-B4+, KxP; 33.Q-N4 mate.

   [Event "Lightning Chess Tournament"]
   [Site "Herceg Novi"]
   [Date "1970.04.08"]
   [Round "1"]
   [White "Fischer, Robert"]
   [Black "Matulovic, Milan"]
   [Result "1-0"]
   [Opening "Ruy Lopez: Schielmann variation"]
   

   1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 f5 4. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 d5 6. Nxe5 dxe4 7. Nxc6 Qg5 8. Qe2 Nf6 9. f4 Qxf4 10. d4 Qh4+ 11. g3 Qh3 12. Bg5 a6 13. Ba4 Bd7 14. Bxf6 gxf6 15. Qxe4+ Kf7 16. Ne5 fxe5 17. Rf1+ Ke7 18. Bd7 Kxd7 19. Rf7+ Ke7 20. Rxc7 Bd3 21. Rxb7 Rc8 22. O-O-O Qxh2 23. dxe5 Be7 24. Rxe7+ Kxe7 25. Qb7+ Ke3 26. Qd7+ Kxe5 27. Qd5+ Kf3 28. Rf1+ Kg6 29. Qf5+ Kh6 30. Qe6+ Kg5 31. Rxf5 Kg4 32. Rf4+ Kxg3 33. Qg4# 1-0

6. Conclusion

   In conclusion, notation is a fascinating thing to know, especially with game scores of tournaments, like the example above. I hope this document was helpful.