Chess Notation Guide
Everything you need to write and read algebraic chess notation, the standard way to record moves on a scoresheet.
What is Algebraic Notation?
Algebraic notation is the standard method for recording chess moves. Every square on the board has a unique name, and every move is written as a short code that tells you which piece moved where.
It is used in tournaments worldwide, in books, and on online platforms like Lichess and Chess.com. Once you learn it, you can read any chess game ever recorded.
The Board
The board is an 8x8 grid. Columns are called files and labeled a through h (left to right from White's perspective). Rows are called ranks and numbered 1 through 8 (bottom to top from White's perspective).
Every square is identified by its file letter + rank number. For example, e4 is the square on the e file, 4th rank.
Piece Letters
Each piece is represented by a single uppercase letter. Pawns have no letter; you just write the destination square.
K KingQ QueenR RookB BishopN KnightNote: piece letters vary by language. Most chess software accepts multiple notation languages.
Writing Moves
The basic format is: piece letter + destination square. Pawns omit the piece letter.
e4Pawn moves to e4Nf3Knight moves to f3Bb5Bishop moves to b5Qd1Queen moves to d1Ke2King moves to e2Rd1Rook moves to d1Captures
When a piece captures, add x between the piece and the destination. For pawn captures, write the file the pawn came from, then x, then the destination.
Bxf7Bishop captures on f7Nxe5Knight captures on e5exd5e pawn captures on d5dxc6d pawn captures on c6Always include the x. It is the FIDE standard and helps distinguish captures from regular moves. Writing it makes your scoresheet clearer for everyone.
Castling
Castling uses a special notation with the letter O (or the number 0):
O‑OKingside castling (short)O‑O‑OQueenside castling (long)Tip: use capital letter O, not zero. Most software and scanners recognize both, but O is the official standard.
Check, Checkmate & Promotion
Check and Checkmate
Qh7+Queen to h7 with checkQh7#Queen to h7, checkmate+ means check, # means checkmate. Many players forget these on their scoresheets. That is fine. They can be added later from the move sequence.
Pawn Promotion
e8=QPawn promotes to Queen on e8a1=NPawn promotes to Knight on a1Write the destination square, then = and the piece letter.
Disambiguation
When two identical pieces can reach the same square, specify which one by adding the departing file, rank, or both.
Rae1The Rook on the a file moves to e1R1e3The Rook on rank 1 moves to e3Nbd2The Knight on the b file moves to d2Game Result
The result is written at the end of the move list:
1 : 0White wins0 : 1Black wins1/2 : 1/2DrawThe Scoresheet
A standard tournament scoresheet has two columns, one for White's moves, one for Black's, with move numbers on the left. A typical opening looks like this:
# White Black 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 ...
This is the Ruy Lopez, one of the oldest and most popular openings in chess.
Tips for Clear Handwriting
Writing clearly helps both human readers and AI recognition. Here are some common pitfalls:
Distinguish similar letters
B (Bishop) vs 8 (rank), N (Knight) vs h (file), K (King) vs k. Use clear uppercase for pieces.
Write move numbers clearly
Separate the number from the move: "1. e4" not "1.e4" or "1e4". This helps both humans and scanners.
Use standard castling notation
Write O‑O or 0‑0 with clear separators. Avoid shorthand like "oo" or drawing arrows.
Include the capture symbol
Write Bxe5, not just Be5, when capturing. It makes the scoresheet easier to verify afterwards.
Keep columns aligned
Write White's and Black's moves in their own columns. Cramming both into one line makes scanning harder.
Cross out mistakes cleanly
If you write a wrong move, draw a single line through it and write the correct one next to it.
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