Algebraic notation (chess)

Algebraic notation

Algebraic notation (or AN) is a method for recording and describing the moves in a game of chess. It is based on a system of coordinates to uniquely identify each square on the chessboard. It is now standard among all chess organizations and most books, magazines, and newspapers. In English-speaking countries, the parallel method of descriptive notation was generally used in chess publications until about 1980. Some older players still use descriptive notation, but it is no longer recognized by FIDE.

Algebraic notation exists in various forms and languages and is based on a system developed by Philipp Stamma. Stamma used the modern names of the squares, but he used p for pawn moves and the original file of a piece (a through h) instead of the initial letter of the piece name. This article describes standard algebraic notation (SAN) required by FIDE.

Naming the squares

Each square of the chessboard is identified by a unique coordinate pair—a letter and a number. The vertical columns of squares, called files, are labeled a through h from White's left (the queenside) to right (the kingside). The horizontal rows of squares, called ranks, are numbered 1 to 8 starting from White's side of the board. Thus each square has a unique identification of file letter followed by rank number. (For example, White's king starts the game on square e1; Black's knight on b8 can move to open squares a6 or c6.)

Naming the pieces

Each piece type (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter. English-speaking players use the letters K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight (since K is already used). S (from the German Springer) was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation and is still used in some chess problems (where N stands for the nightrider, a popular fairy chess piece).

Players who speak other languages may employ different letters; for example, French-speaking players use F for bishop (from fou). In chess literature, especially that intended for an international audience, the language-specific letters are often replaced by universal icons for the pieces, for example, Nf3 is represented as ♘f3. This style is known as figurine algebraic notation.

Pawns are not identified by uppercase letters, but rather by the absence of one. Distinguishing between pawns is not necessary for recording moves, since only one pawn can move to a given square. (Pawn captures are an exception and indicated differently as explained below.)

Notation for moves

Each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's uppercase letter, plus the coordinate of the destination square. For example, Be5 (move a bishop to e5), Nf3 (move a knight to f3). For pawn moves, a letter indicating pawn is not used, only the destination square is given. For example, c5 (move a pawn to c5).

Captures

When a piece makes a capture, an "x" is inserted immediately before the destination square. For example, Bxe5 (bishop captures the piece on e5). When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the pawn departed is used to identify the pawn. For example, exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the piece on d5). A colon (:) is sometimes used instead of "x", either in the same place the "x" would go (B:e5) or at the end (Be5:), but using it is not allowed by FIDE rules.

En passant captures are indicated by specifying the capturing pawn's file of departure, the "x", the destination square (not the square of the captured pawn), and (optionally) the suffix "e.p." indicating the capture was en passant. For example, exd6e.p.

Some texts, such as the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, omit any indication that a capture has been made. (For example, Be5 instead of Bxe5; ed6 instead of exd6 or exd6e.p.) When it is unambiguous to do so, a pawn capture is sometimes described by specifying only the files involved (exd or ed), but such description is not allowed by FIDE rules. These shortened forms are sometimes called minimal or abbreviated algebraic notation.

Disambiguating moves

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

1.Bdb8, 2.Rdf8, 3.R1a3, 4.Qh4e1

When two (or more) identical pieces can move to the same square, the moving piece is uniquely identified by specifying the piece's letter, followed by (in descending order of preference):

1. the file of departure (if they differ); or
2. the rank of departure (if the files are the same but the ranks differ); or
3. both the file and rank of departure (if neither alone is sufficient to identify the piece—which occurs only in rare cases where one or more pawns have promoted, resulting in a player having three or more identical pieces able to reach the same square).

For example, in the diagram, Bb8 would be ambiguous, as either of the bishops on a7 and d6 could legally move to b8. The move of the d6 bishop is therefore specified as Bdb8, indicating that it was the bishop on the d file which moved. Although they could also be differentiated by their ranks, the file letter takes precedence.

For the black rooks both on the 8th rank, both could potentially move to f8, so the move of the d8 rook to f8 is disambiguated as Rdf8. For the white rooks both on the a file which could both move to a3, it is necessary to provide the rank of the moving piece, i.e., R1a3.

In the case of the white queen on h4 moving to e1, neither the rank nor file alone are sufficient to disambiguate from the other white queens. As such, this move is written Qh4e1.

As above, an "x" can be inserted to indicate a capture; for example, if the final case were a capture, it would be written as Qh4xe1.

Pawn promotion

When a pawn moves to the last rank and promotes, the piece promoted to is indicated at the end of the move notation, for example: e8Q (promoting to queen). Sometimes an equals sign or parentheses are used: e8=Q or e8(Q), but neither format is a FIDE standard. In Portable Game Notation (PGN), pawn promotion is always indicated using the equals sign format (e8=Q).

In older books, pawn promotions can be found using a forward slash: e8/Q.

Draw offer

In FIDE Laws of Chess, an equals sign with parentheses, "(=)", is used to write the offer of a draw on the score sheet next to a move, but this is not part of algebraic notation.

Castling

Castling is indicated by the special notations 0-0 (for kingside castling) and 0-0-0 (queenside castling).

While the FIDE Handbook, appendix C.13 uses the digit zero (0-0 and 0-0-0), PGN requires the uppercase letter O (O-O and O-O-O).

Check

A move that places the opponent's king in check usually has the symbol "+" appended. Alternatively, sometimes a dagger (†) or the abbreviation "ch" is used. Double check is commonly indicated the same as check, but is sometimes represented specially as "dbl ch", or in older books as "++". Some publications indicate a discovered check with an abbreviation such as "dis ch". The Encyclopedia of Chess Openings omits any indication of check.

Checkmate

Checkmate at the completion of moves can be represented by the symbol "# ". (Some use "++" instead, but the USCF recommends "# ".) The word mate is commonly used instead. Occasionally the double dagger (‡) is seen. A checkmate is represented by "≠" (the not equal sign) in the macOS chess application. In Russia and ex-USSR, where captures are indicated by ":", checkmate can also be represented by "X", "x", or "×".

End of game

The notation 1–0 at the completion of moves indicates that White won, 0–1 indicates that Black won, and ½–½ indicates a draw. In case of forfeit, scores 0–0, ½–0 and 0–½ are also possible. If player(s) lost by default, results are +/−, −/+ or −/−.

Often there is no indication regarding how a player won or lost (other than checkmate, see above), so simply 1–0 or 0–1 may be written to show that one player resigned or lost due to time control or forfeit. (Similarly, there is more than one way for a game to end in a draw.) Sometimes direct information is given by the words "White resigns" or "Black resigns", though this is not considered part of the notation but rather a return to the surrounding narrative text.

Notation for a series of moves

A game or series of moves is generally written in one of two ways.

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

Position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6

• In two columns, as White/Black pairs, preceded by the move number and a period:

  1. e4 e5

  2. Nf3 Nc6

  3. Bb5 a6

• Horizontally:

  1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6

Moves may be interspersed with commentary (annotations). When the game score resumes with a Black move, an ellipsis (...) fills the position of the White move, for example:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3

White attacks the black e-pawn.

2... Nc6

Black defends and develops simultaneously.

3. Bb5

White plays the Ruy Lopez.

3... a6

Black elects Morphy's Defence.

History

Descriptive notation was usual in the Middle Ages in Europe. A form of algebraic chess notation that seems to have been borrowed from Muslim chess, however, appeared in Europe in a 12th-century manuscript referred to as MS. Paris Fr. 1173 (PP.). The files run from a to h, just as they do in the current standard algebraic notation. The ranks, however, are also designated by letters, with the exception of the 8th rank which is distinct because it has no letter. The ranks are lettered in reverse – from the 7th to the 1st: k, l, m, n, o, p, q.

Another system of notation using only letters appears in a book of Mediaeval chess, Rechenmeister Jacob Köbel's Schachzabel Spiel of 1520.

Algebraic notation is described in 1847 by Howard Staunton in his book The Chess-Player's Handbook. Staunton credits the idea to German authors, and in particular to "Alexandre, Jaenisch and the 'Handbuch.'"

• 
  Chess diagram found in a French manuscript dated 1173
• 
  Chess diagram from Jacob Köbel's 1520 German book about Mediaeval chess, Schachzabel Spiel
• 
  Chess diagram showing algebraic notation in Howard Staunton's The Chess-Player's Handbook

Piece names in various languages

The table contains names for all the pieces as well as the words for chess, check, and checkmate in several languages. NB: alfil is a chess-specific loanword from Arabic which has lost its original meaning of "elephant" in the European languages that use it for the piece called bishop in English.

Overview of chess piece names

Language	King	Queen	Rook	Bishop	Knight	Pawn	Chess	Check	Checkmate/Mate
figure	♔ ♚	♕ ♛	♖ ♜	♗ ♝	♘ ♞	♙ ♟	n/a	+ or †	# or ++ or ‡
Afrikaans	K Koning king	D Dame lady	T Toring tower	L Loper runner	R Ruiter rider	(P) Pion	Skaak	Skaak	Skaakmat
Albanian	M Mbreti king	D Dama / Mbretëresha lady / queen	T Torra tower	F Fili / Oficeri elephant / officer	K Kali horse	(U) Ushtari soldier	Shahu	Shah	Shah mat
Arabic	م مَلِك (malik) king	و وزير (wazïr) vizier	ر رخ / طابية (rukhkh / ṭābiya) fortress / castle	ف فيل (fīl) elephant	ح حصان (ħiṣān) horse	ب بيدق / عسكري (baidaq / `askarī) pawn / soldier	شطرنج (shaṭranj)	كِش مَلِك (kish malik)	كِش مات (kish māt)
Azerbaijani	Ş Şah shah	V Vəzir vizier	T Top cannon	F Fil elephant	A At horse	P Piyada foot soldier	Şahmat	şah shah	mat mat
Armenian	Ա Արքա (Ark῾a) king	Թ Թագուհի (T῾agowhi) queen	Ն Նավակ (Navak) ship	Փ Փիղ (P῾ił) elephant	Ձ Ձի (Dzi) horse	Զ Զինվոր (Zinvor) soldier	Շախմատ (Šaxmat) Ճատրակ (Čatrak)	Շախ (Šax)	Մատ (Mat)
Basque	E Erregea king	D Dama lady	G Gaztelua castle	A Alfila	Z Zalduna knight	(P) Peoia pawn	Xake	Xake	Xake mate
Belarusian (Taraškievica)	К кароль king	Вз візыр vizier	Лд ладзьдзя boat	А афіцэр officer	В вершнік rider	(Л) латнік pawn	Шахматы	Шах	Мат
Bengali	R রাজা (rājā) King	M মন্ত্রী (montri) Minister	N নৌকা (noukā) Boat	H গজ / হাতি (gôj / hāti) Elephant	G ঘোড়া (ghoṛā) Horse	B বোড়ে / সৈন্য (boṛe / śoinno) Walker / Troop	দাবা (dābā)	কিস্তি (kisti) Check	কিস্তিমাত (kistimāt) Checkmate
Bulgarian	Ц цар tsar	Д дама / царица lady / tsaritsa	Т топ cannon	О офицер officer	К кон horse	(П) пешка foot soldier	Шахмат / Шах	Шах	(Шах и) мат
Catalan	R rei	D dama / reina lady / queen	T torre tower	A alfil	C cavall horse	(P) peó	Escacs	Escac / Xec	Escac i mat
Chinese	K 王 (wáng) king	Q 后 (hòu) queen	R 車 (jū) chariot	B 象 (xiàng) elephant	N 馬 (mǎ) horse	(P) 兵 (bīng) soldier	國際象棋 (guójì xiàngqí) international chess	將軍 (jiāngjūn)	將死 (jiāng sǐ)
Czech	K král king	D dáma lady	V věž tower	S střelec shooter	J jezdec rider	(P) pěšec foot soldier	Šachy	Šach	Mat
Danish	K konge king	D dronning queen	T tårn tower	L løber runner	S springer jumper	(B) bonde peasant	Skak	Skak	Skakmat
Dutch	K koning king	D dame / koningin lady / queen	T toren / kasteel tower / castle	L loper / raadsheer runner / counsellor	P paard horse	(pi) pion	Schaken	Schaak	Mat / Schaakmat
English	K king	Q queen	R rook, castle	B bishop	N knight	(P) pawn	Chess	Check	Checkmate / Mate
Esperanto	R reĝo king	D damo lady	T turo tower	K kuriero courier	Ĉ ĉevalo horse	(P) peono	Ŝako	Ŝak	Ŝakmato
Estonian	K kuningas king	L lipp flag	V vanker chariot / carriage	O oda spear	R ratsu riding horse	(E) ettur forwarder	Male after malev	Tuli / Šahh fire	Matt
Finnish	K kuningas king	D daami / kuningatar lady / queen	T torni tower	L lähetti messenger	R ratsu ride	(S) sotilas soldier	Shakki	Shakki	Matti / Shakkimatti
French	R roi king	D dame lady	T tour tower	F fou jester	C cavalier rider	(P) pion	Échecs	Échec	Échec et mat
Galician	R rei king	D dama / raíña lady / queen	T torre tower	B bispo bishop	C cabalo horse	(P) peón foot soldier	Xadrez	Xaque	Xaque mate
Georgian	მფ მეფე (mep'e) king	ლ ლაზიერი (lazieri) queen	ე ეტლი (etli) chariot	კ კუ (ku) tortoise	მ მხედარი (mkhedari) rider	პ პაიკი (paiki) pawn	ჭადრაკი (Čadraki)	ქიში (K'ishi)	შამათი (Shamat'i)
German	K König king	D Dame lady / queen	T Turm tower	L Läufer runner	S Springer jumper	(B) Bauer peasant / farmer	Schach	Schach	Matt / Schachmatt
Greek	Ρ βασιλιάς (vasiliás) king	Β βασίλισσα (vasílissa) queen	Π πύργος (pýrgos) tower	Α αξιωματικός (axiomatikós) officer	Ι ίππος (íppos) horse	(Σ) πιόνι (pióni) pawn	Σκάκι (Skáki)	Σαχ (Sach) / Ρουά (Rouá)	Mατ (Mat)
Hindi	R राजा (rājā) king	V वज़ीर / रानी (vazīr / rānī) vizier / queen	H हाथी (hāthī) elephant	O ऊँट (ūṁṭ) camel	G घोड़ा (ghoṛā) horse	(P) प्यादा (pyādā) infantryman	शतरंज (śatrañj)	शह (Shah)	शहमात (Shahmāt)
Hebrew	מ מלך (Melech) king	מה מלכה (Malka) queen	צ צריח (Tzariach) tower	ר רץ (Ratz) runner	פ פרש (Parash) horseman	רגלי (Regli) foot soldier	שחמט (Shakhmat)	שח (Shakh)	מט (Mat)
Hausa	S sarki king	Q sarauniya queen	R sansanin fortress	G giwa elephant	J jarumi mounted warrior	(P) soja soldier	ces	ceki	ceki mat
Hungarian	K király king	V vezér / királynő leader / queen	B bástya bastion	F futó runner	H huszár / ló hussar / horse	(Gy) gyalog / paraszt footman / peasant	Sakk	Sakk	Matt / Sakk-matt
Icelandic	K kóngur king	D drottning queen	H hrókur rook	B biskup bishop	R riddari knight	(P) peð pawn	Skák	Skák	Skák og mát
Ido	R rejo king	D damo lady	T turmo tower	E episkopo bishop	K kavalo horse	(P) piono	Shakoludo	Shako	Shakmato
Indonesian	R raja king	M menteri minister / vizier	B benteng castle / fortress	G gajah elephant	K kuda horse	(P) pion	Catur	Sekak / Ster	Sekakmat
Interslavic	K kralj king	C carica / dama empress / lady	Z zamok / věža castle / tower	L lovec hunter	J jezdec / konj rider / horse	(P) pěšak infantryman	Šahy	Šah	Mat
Irish	R rí king	B banríon queen	C caiseal bulwark	E easpag bishop	D ridire knight	(F) fichillín / ceithearnach little chess piece / kern	Ficheall	Sáinn	Marbhsháinn
Italian	R re king	D donna / regina lady / queen	T torre tower	A alfiere standard-bearer	C cavallo horse	(P) pedone foot soldier	Scacchi	Scacco	Scacco matto
Japanese	K キング (kingu)	Q クイーン (kuīn)	R ルーク (rūku)	B ビショップ (bishoppu)	N ナイト (naito)	(P) ポーン (pōn)	チェス (chesu)	王手 (ōte) / チェック (chekku)	詰み (tsumi) / チェックメイト (chekkumeito)
Javanese	R raja king	Q ratu / perdhana mentri queen / prime minister	B bèntèng fortress	M mentri minister	K jaran horse	(P) pion	sekak
Kannada	ರಾ ರಾಜ (raaja) king	ಮ ಮಂತ್ರಿ (mantri) minister	ಆ ಆನೆ (aane) elephant	ರ ರಥ (ratha) chariot	ಕು ಕುದುರೆ (kudure) horse	ಪಾ ಪದಾತಿ (padaati) foot soldier	ಚದುರಂಗ (caduraṅga)
Kazakh	Кр патша (patşa) king	У уәзір (uäzır) vizier	Т тура (tura) tower	П піл (pıl) elephant	А ат (at) horse	(П) пешка (peşka) / (С) сарбаз (sarbaz) foot soldier / warrior	шахмат (şahmat)	шах (şah)	мат (mat)
Korean	K 킹 (king)	Q 퀸 (kwin)	R 룩 (rug)	B 비숍 (bi syob)	N 나이트 (na i teu)	(P) 폰 (pon)	체스 (che seu)	체크 (che keu)	체크메이트 (che keu me i teu)
Latin	R rex king	M regina queen	T turris / elephas tower / elephant	A signifer / cursor / stultus / alphinus standard-bearer / messenger / fool	E eques knight	(P) pedes / pedo foot soldier	Scacci	Scaccus	Mattus
Latvian	K karalis king	D dāma lady	T tornis tower	L laidnis	Z zirgs horse	(B) bandinieks peasant	Šahs	Šahs	Šahs un mats
Lithuanian	K karalius king	V valdovė queen	B bokštas tower	R rikis Lithuanian military commander	Ž žirgas horse	(P) pėstininkas pawn	Šachmatai	Šach	Matas
Lojban	Na noltrunau king	Ni noltruni'u queen	S slanydi'u castle	X xanto elephant	Xi xirma horse	(S) sonci soldier	caxmati	gunta attack	lo nolraitru cu morsi the king is dead
Luxembourgish	K Kinnek king	D Damm lady	T Tuerm tower	L Leefer runner	P Päerd horse	(B) Bauer farmer	Schach	Schach	Schachmatt
Macedonian	K крал king	D кралица / дама queen / lady	T топ cannon	L ловец hunter	S коњ / скокач horse / jumper	P пешак / пион infantryman / pawn	шах	шах	мат
Malayalam	K രാജാവ് (raajavu) king	Q മന്ത്രി (manthri) minister	R തേര് (therú) chariot	B ആന (aana) elephant	N/Kt കുതിര (kuthira) horse	(P) കാലാള്‍ / പടയാളി (kaalal / padayaali) foot soldier	ചതുരംഗം (chathurangam)	ചെക്ക്	ചെക്ക് മേറ്റ്
Marathi	R राजा (rājā) king	V वजीर (vajīr) vizier	H हत्ती (hātti) elephant	O उंट (Unṭ) camel	G घोडा (ghoḍā) horse	(P) प्यादे (pyāde) foot soldier	बुद्धिबळ (buddhibal)	शह (shah)	शहमात (shahmāt)
Mongolian	Н ноён noyan	Б бэрс (fers) vizier	т тэрэг (tereg) chariot	Т тэмээ (temee) camel	М морь (mor) horse	(Х) хүү (hüü) boy	Шатар	шаг / дуг / цод	мад
Norwegian Bokmål	K konge king	D dronning queen	T tårn tower	L løper runner	S springer jumper	(B) bonde peasant	Sjakk	Sjakk	Sjakkmatt
Norwegian Nynorsk	K konge king	D dronning queen	T tårn tower	L løpar runner	S springar jumper	(B) bonde peasant	Sjakk	Sjakk	Sjakkmatt
Odia	K ରଜା (rôja) king	Q ରାଣୀ (raṇi) queen	R ଡଙ୍ଗା (ḍôṅga) boat	B ହାତୀ (hati) elephant	N ଘୋଡ଼ା (ghoṛa) horse	P ସୈନିକ (sôinikô) soldier	ଚେସ୍/ଶତରଞ୍ଜ (chess/śôtôrôñjô)	ଚେକ୍ (check)	ଚେକମେଟ୍ (checkmate)
Oromo	M Mootii	Mt Mootittii	G Gidaara, masaraa	A abuunii	N namkabajaa	Cheezii	Mirkaneeffannaa	Waayila / Mate
Persian	ش شاه king	و وزیر vizier / minister	ق/ر قلعه/رخ castle	ف فیل elephant	ا اسب horse	س/پ سرباز/پیاده soldier	شطرنج (shatranj)	کیش (kish)	مات (mat)
Polish	K król king	H hetman / królowa general (hist.) / queen	W wieża tower	G goniec / laufer courier / (ger. derived)	S skoczek / koń jumper / horse	(P) pion / pionek pawn	Szachy	szach	mat / szach-mat
Portuguese	R rei king	D dama / rainha lady / queen	T torre tower	B bispo bishop	C cavalo horse	(P) peão foot soldier	Xadrez	Xeque	Xeque-mate
Romanian	R rege king	D damă / regină lady / queen	T turn / tură tower	N nebun fool	C cal horse	(P) pion	Șah	Șah	Mat / Șah mat
Russian	Кр король (korol') king	Ф ферзь / королева (ferz' / koroleva) vizier / queen	Л ладья (ladya) boat	С слон (slon) elephant	К конь (kon') horse	(П) пешка (peshka)	шахматы (shakhmaty)	шах (shakh)	мат (mat)
Scottish Gaelic	R righ king	B bànrigh queen	T tùr tower	E easbaig bishop	D ridir knight	(P) pàn pawn	feòirne	casg	tul-chasg
Serbo-Croatian	K kralj (К краљ) king	D kraljica / dama (Д краљицa / дама) queen / lady	T top / kula (Т топ / кула) cannon / tower	L lovac / strijelac / laufer (Л ловац / стрелац / лауфер) hunter / archer / runner	S skakač / konj (С скaкaч / коњ) jumper / horse	(P) pješak / pion / pijun ((П) пешак / пион / пијун) footman / pawn	Šah (Шах)	Šah (Шах)	Mat (Мат)
Northern Sotho	К Kgoši	Kg Kgošigadi	N Ntlosebô / Moshate	Mp Mopišopo	M Mogale	S Seitšhireletšo	Tšhêšê	Check	Checkmate
Sicilian	R re king	D riggina queen	T turru tower	A alferu	S scecc[h]u donkey	(P) pidinu foot soldier	Scacchi
Slovak	K kráľ king	D dáma lady	V veža tower	S strelec shooter	J jazdec rider	(P) pešiak infantryman / pawn	Šach	Šach	Mat / Šachmat
Slovene	K kralj king	D dama lady	T trdnjava castle	L lovec hunter	S skakač jumper	(P) kmet farmer	Šah	Šah	Mat / Šahmat
Spanish	R rey king	D dama / reina lady / queen	T torre tower	A alfil	C caballo horse	(P) peón foot soldier	Ajedrez	Jaque	Jaque mate
Swedish	K kung king	D dam / drottning lady / queen	T torn tower	L löpare runner	H springare / riddare horse/knight	(B) bonde peasant	Schack	Schack	Schack matt
Tamil	K அரசன் (arasaṉ) king	Q அரசி (araci) queen	R கோட்டை (kōṭṭai) castle	B அமைச்சர் / மந்திரி (amaicchar / manthiri) minister	N/Kt குதிரை (kutirai) horse	(P) காலாள் / சிப்பாய் (kālāḷ / cippāy) foot soldier / sepoy	சதுரங்கம் (sathurankam)	முற்றுகை (muṟṟukai)	இறுதி முற்றுகை (iṟuti muṟṟukai)
Telugu	రాజు (rāju) king	మంత్రి (maṃtri) minister	ఏనుగు (ēnugu) elephant	శకటు (śakaţu)	గుర్రం (gurraṃ) horse	బంటు (baṃţu) soldier	చదరంగం (cadaraṃgaṃ)	దాడి (dāḍi)	కట్టు (kaţţu)
Thai	ข ขุน (khun) king	ต เม็ด / ตรี / มนตรี (met / tri / montri) counselor	ร เรือ (ruea) ship	ค โคน (khon)	ม ม้า (ma) horse	(บ) เบี้ย (bia) menial	หมากรุก (makruk)	รุก (ruk)	จน (chon)
Turkish	Ş/K şah / kral shah / king	V vezir vizier	K kale castle	F fil elephant	A at horse	(P) er / piyon soldier / pawn	Satranç	Şah	Mat
Ukrainian	Kр король (korol) king	Ф ферзь (ferz) vizier	T тура (tura) tower	C слон (slon) elephant	K кінь (kin) horse	(П) пішак / пішка (pishak / pishka) foot soldier	Шахи (shakhi)	Шах (shakh)	Мат (mat)
Urdu	بادشاہ (bādshāh)	وزیر (vazīr)	رخ (rukh)	فيلہ (fiyalah)	گھوڑا (ghōṛā)	پیادہ (pyādah)	شطرنج (šaṭranj)	شہ (sheh)	شہمات (shehmāt)
Vietnamese	V vua king	H hậu queen	X xe chariot	T tượng / tịnh / voi elephant	M mã / ngựa horse	tốt / chốt / binh soldier	Cờ vua	Chiếu / Chiếu tướng	Chiếu bí / Chiếu hết / Sát cục / Tuyệt sát
Welsh	T teyrn / brenin lord / king	B brenhines queen	C castell castle	E esgob bishop	M marchog rider	(G) gwerinwr peasant	Gwyddbwyll	Siach	Siachmat

Similar notations

Besides the FIDE standard (or short) algebraic notation (SAN) already described, several similar systems are in use for their own particular advantages.

Figurine algebraic notation

Figurine algebraic notation (or FAN) is a widely used variation of algebraic notation which substitutes a piece symbol for the letter representing a piece, for example: ♞c6 in place of Nc6. (Pawns are unlabeled, just like in regular algebraic notation.) This enables moves to be read independent of language.

The Unicode Miscellaneous Symbols set includes all the symbols necessary for FAN. In order to display or print these symbols, one has to have one or more fonts with good Unicode support installed on the computer, that the Web page, or word processor document, etc., uses.

Long algebraic notation

Some computer programs (and people) use a variant of algebraic chess notation termed long algebraic notation or fully expanded algebraic notation. In long algebraic notation, moves specify both the starting and ending squares. Sometimes it is separated by a hyphen (contrary to FIDE rules), for example: e2e4 or Nb1-c3 with hyphen. Captures are still indicated using "x": Rd3xd7.

The long notation takes more space and thus is not as commonly used. However, it has the advantage of clarity, particularly for less-skilled players or players learning the game. Some books using primarily short algebraic notation use the long notation instead of the disambiguation forms described earlier.

A form of long algebraic notation (without piece names) is also notably used by the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) standard, which is a common way for graphical chess programs to communicate with chess engines (e.g., for AI).

ICCF numeric notation

In international correspondence chess the use of algebraic notation may cause confusion, since different languages employ different names (and therefore different letters) for the pieces; hence the standard for transmitting moves in this form of chess is ICCF numeric notation. In recent years, the majority of correspondence games have been played on on-line servers rather than by email or post, leading to a decline in the use of ICCF numeric notation.

PGN for computer storage

Chess games are often stored in computer files using Portable Game Notation (PGN), which uses algebraic chess notation as well as additional markings to codify a game. As mentioned, PGN requires uppercase letter O to represent castling (e.g. O-O), while the FIDE Handbook uses digit zero (0-0).

Annotation symbols

Main article: Chess annotation symbols

Though not technically a part of algebraic notation, the following are some common symbols frequently used by annotators, for example in publications Chess Informant and Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, to give evaluative comment on a move or position.

On moves:

• !  an excellent move
• !!  a particularly good—and usually surprising—move
• ?  a bad move; a mistake
• ??  a blunder
• !?  an interesting move that may not be best
• ?!  a dubious move or move that may turn out to be bad
• ⌓  a better move than the one played
• □  the only reasonable move, or the only move available
• TN (or N)  a theoretical novelty

On positions:

• =  equal chances for both players
• +/= (or ⩲)  White has a slight plus
• =/+ (or ⩱)  Black has a slight plus
• +/− (or ±)  White has a clear plus
• −/+ (or ∓)  Black has a clear plus
• +−  White has a winning advantage
• −+  Black has a winning advantage
• ∞  unclear whether either side has an advantage
• =/∞  whoever is down in material has compensation for it

The symbol chosen is simply appended to the end of the move notation, for example: 1.d4 e5?! 2.dxe5 f6 3.e4! Nc6 4.Bc4+/−

See also

• Chess notation

External links

• FIDE rules on algebraic notation (see appendix C)
• Algebraic Chess Notation Exercise