An Annotated Beginner Game

An annotated game is a game with notes on each move. This game follows opening principles from start to finish.

The opening moves

White plays e4, Nf3, and Bc4. Black plays e5, Nc6, and Bc5. Both sides develop two pieces.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Castling

White castles and Black plays Nf6. White king is safe on g1 and the rook on f1 is in play.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

The game continues

White plays d3, Nc3, and Re1. Black plays d6 and Bg4, then retreats the bishop to h5 after h3. The position is solid for both sides.

FEN: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 r n b q k b n r 8
7 p p p p p p p p 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 P P P P P P P P 2
1 R N B Q K B N R 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

White opens with e4 and Black answers e5. Both pawns take the center.
White develops the knight and bishop. Black develops the knight and bishop in reply.
White castles and Black develops. Both kings reach safety behind their pawns.
White plays d3 and develops the knight to c3. White builds a solid center without rushing.
The game is even after these moves. Both sides have followed opening principles.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

In the annotated game, what does White play after castling to build a solid center?

d3 Qh5 a4 Ng5