A
method of
recording
chess moves. The
board is arranged in
rank and file, with rank being numbers 1 - 8 and file being letters a - h. The
origin lies at the left
rook on the white side of the board.
Chess moves are divided into columns, the first column of white moves and the second of black moves. Each move is recorded as a piece designation, starting point, action and end point. For example, a
game might look like this:
- f2-f4 e7-e5 (white moves pawn from f2 to f4. Black moves pawn from e7 to e5)
- f4xe5 d7-d6 (white moves pawn from f4 and takes the pawn at e5. Black moves pawn from d7 to d6)
- e5xd6 Bf8xd6 (white moves pawn from e5 and takes pawn at d6. Black moves Bishop at f8 and takes pawn at d6)
- g2-g3 Qd8-g5 (white moves pawn from g2 to g3. Black moves Queen from d8 g5)
- Ng1-f3 Qg5xg3+ (white moves Knight moves from g1 to f3. Black moves Queen from g5 and takes pawn at g3. Check)
- h2xg3 Bd6xg3# (white moves pawn from h2 and takes Queen at g3. Black moves Bishop from d6 and takes pawn at g3. Check Mate)
As you can see, pawn symbols are omitted, x means take or capture, +, means check, and # (or ++) means check mate. Other symbols to know are O-O which means, castle King Side and O-O-O which means castle queen side.