How to Read Chess Notation
The universal language of chess - learn to read and write any move.
Published 2026-02-01 | Last verified 2026-02-12
Professor Archer says: Learning chess notation felt like learning a new alphabet when I started. All those letters and numbers seemed like code. But within a week of practice, it became completely natural - like reading sheet music after you have played enough songs. Notation unlocks the entire written history of chess. Without it, you cannot study games, read books, or review your own play. It is the single most useful skill outside of the game itself.
What Is Chess Notation?
Chess notation is a system for recording moves in a game of chess. The standard system used worldwide is called algebraic notation. It assigns each square on the board a unique identifier based on its file (column, labeled a through h) and rank (row, labeled 1 through 8).
The board is always described from White's perspective. The a-file is on White's left, the h-file on White's right. Rank 1 is White's back rank, and rank 8 is Black's back rank. So the square in the bottom-left corner (from White's view) is a1, and the top-right corner is h8.
Each piece has a letter abbreviation: K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight (not K, because that is taken by the king). Pawns have no letter - their moves are written with just the destination square.
How to Write Moves
- Piece moves - Write the piece letter followed by the destination square. For example, Nf3 means a knight moves to f3. Bb5 means a bishop moves to b5. Qd1 means the queen moves to d1. If two identical pieces can move to the same square, add the starting file or rank to clarify: Nbd7 means the knight on the b-file moves to d7.
- Pawn moves - For pawn moves, just write the destination square. For example, e4 means a pawn moves to e4. For pawn captures, write the starting file, an "x," and the destination: exd5 means the pawn on the e-file captures on d5.
- Captures - Use the letter "x" to indicate a capture. Bxf7 means a bishop captures on f7. Nxe5 means a knight captures on e5. For pawn captures, include the originating file: dxc4 means the d-pawn captures on c4.
- Special symbols - Check is indicated by a "+" symbol: Bb5+ means bishop to b5 with check. Checkmate uses "#": Qh7# means queen to h7, delivering checkmate. Castling kingside is written as O-O, and queenside castling is O-O-O. Pawn promotion is written as the move followed by "=" and the piece: e8=Q means the pawn promotes to a queen on e8.
Following a Game in Notation
Let us read through the opening moves of a famous game. The notation reads: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5. This is the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest openings in chess.
Move 1: White pushes the e-pawn to e4. Black responds with e5. Move 2: White develops the knight to f3, attacking Black's e5 pawn. Black develops the knight to c6, defending the e5 pawn. Move 3: White places the bishop on b5, pinning the knight on c6 against the king. The board position after these three moves is shown here.
The Ruy Lopez after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 - a position you can now read in notation.
Annotation Symbols
Beyond recording moves, chess notation includes symbols for commentary. These help readers quickly understand the quality of a move without reading lengthy analysis.
An exclamation mark (!) means a strong move. A double exclamation (!!) means a brilliant move. A question mark (?) means a mistake, and a double question mark (??) means a blunder - a serious error. The combination "!?" means an interesting or speculative move, while "?!" means a dubious move that is probably not sound but creates practical problems.
These symbols are not part of the official game record. They are added by annotators and commentators when analyzing games. You will encounter them constantly in chess books, articles, and online game reviews. Being able to read them quickly helps you absorb analysis much more efficiently.
Chess Notation Questions
Is it mandatory to record moves in tournaments?
In most official FIDE-rated tournaments, both players are required to record their moves on a score sheet. The exception is when a player has less than five minutes remaining on their clock, at which point the recording obligation is suspended.
What is the difference between algebraic and descriptive notation?
Algebraic notation identifies squares by file letter and rank number (e.g., e4). Descriptive notation, used before the 1980s, identified squares relative to each player (e.g., P-K4 for pawn to king four). Algebraic notation is now the universal standard.
How do I notate en passant?
En passant is written like a normal pawn capture. For example, if White's pawn on e5 captures en passant on d6, it is written as exd6. Some older texts add "e.p." after the move for clarity, but this is not required in modern notation.
Professor Archer says: My advice is simple: start writing down your own games today. Even if your handwriting is messy and you make mistakes, the habit of recording moves forces you to think more carefully. You begin to see each move as a deliberate choice rather than a reflexive reaction. And weeks later, you can revisit those games and learn from your mistakes. That is priceless.
Quick Quiz
What does the notation "Nxf7+" mean?
- A knight captures on f7 with check (Correct) - Correct. "N" is the knight, "x" indicates a capture, "f7" is the destination square, and "+" means check. The knight captures a piece on f7 and gives check to the king.
- A knight moves to f7 - Close, but this ignores the "x" (capture) and "+" (check) symbols. The "x" means a piece is being captured on f7, and the "+" means the move gives check.
- The king moves to f7 - "N" stands for knight, not king. The king is represented by "K" in chess notation.
- A knight on f7 is captured - The notation tells you what the moving piece does, not what happens to a piece on a given square. "Nxf7+" means a knight moves to f7 by capturing whatever was there, with check.