Reading and Writing Algebraic Notation

Algebraic notation is the way chess moves are written. Each move is written with the piece letter and the landing square.

Pawn moves in notation

The position below is the start of a game. The move 1. e4 means the pawn moves to e4.

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

Piece moves in notation

After 1. e4 e5, White plays Nf3. The letter N means knight and f3 is the landing square.

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

Captures in notation

White knight is on d4 and Black pawn is on e6. The capture is written Nxe6, with x for capture.

FEN: 4k3/8/4p3/8/3N4/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . p . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . N . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

A pawn move is written with the landing square only, such as e4.
A piece move is written with the piece letter and the landing square, such as Nf3.
Piece letters are K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight.
A capture is written with an x, such as Nxe6. Check is written with a plus sign, such as Qe7+.
Castling kingside is written O-O. Castling queenside is written O-O-O.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

After 1. e4 e5, what is the notation for knight to f3?

Nf3 Ne3 Ng3 Kf3