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Algebraic notation (chess)
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Algebraic notation is the standard method of chess notation, used for recording and describing moves. It is based on a system of coordinates to identify each square on the board uniquely.cite-ref-oxford-1-0[1] It is now almost universally used by books, magazines, newspapers and software, and is the only form of notation recognized by FIDE,cite-ref-2[2] the international chess governing body.

An early form of algebraic notation was invented by the Syrian player Philip Stamma in the 18th century. In the 19th century, it came into general use in German chess literature and was subsequently adopted in Russian chess literature. Descriptive notation, based on abbreviated natural language, was generally used in English language chess publications until the 1980s. Similar descriptive systems were in use in Spain and France. A few players still use descriptive notation, but it is no longer recognized by FIDE, and may not be used as evidence in the event of a dispute.

The term "algebraic notation" may be considered a misnomer, as the system is unrelated to algebra.cite-ref-oxford-1-1[1]

Contents

Check
PGN
Moves
Notes

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Naming the squares

Each square of the board is identified by a unique coordinate pair—a letter and a number—from White's point of view. The vertical columns of squares, called files, are labeled a through h from White's left (the queenside) to right (the kingside). The horizontal rows of squares, called ranks, are numbered 1 to 8 starting from White's side of the board. Thus each square has a unique identification of file letter followed by rank number. For example, the initial square of White's king is designated as "e1".

Naming the pieces

Each piece type (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter. English-speaking players use the letters K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop and N for knight. Different initial letters are used by other languages.

In modern chess literature, especially that intended for an international audience, the language-specific letters are usually replaced by universally recognized piece symbols; for example, ♞c6 in place of Nc6. This style is known as figurine algebraic notation. The Unicode Miscellaneous Symbols set includes all the symbols necessary for figurine algebraic notation.cite-ref-3[3]

Notation for moves

In standard (or short-form) algebraic notation, each move of a piece is indicated by the piece's uppercase letter, plus the coordinates of the destination square. For example, Be5 (bishop moves to e5), Nf3 (knight moves to f3). For pawn moves, a letter indicating pawn is not used, only the destination square is given. For example, c5 (pawn moves to c5).

Captures

When a piece makes a capture, an "x" is inserted immediately before the destination square. For example, Bxe5 (bishop captures the piece on e5). When a pawn makes a capture, the file from which the pawn departed is used to identify the pawn. For example, exd5 (pawn on the e-file captures the piece on d5).

En passant captures are indicated by specifying the capturing pawn's file of departure, the "x", the destination square (not the square of the captured pawn) and (optionally) the suffix "e.p." indicating the capture was en passant.cite-ref-5[5] For example, exd6 e.p.

Sometimes a multiplication sign (×) or a colon (:) is used instead of "x", either in the middle (B:e5) or at the end (Be5:). Some publications, such as the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO), omit any indication that a capture has been made; for example, Be5 instead of Bxe5; ed6 instead of exd6 or exd6 e.p.

When it is unambiguous to do so, a pawn capture is sometimes described by specifying only the files involved (exd or even ed). These shortened forms are sometimes called abbreviated algebraic notation or minimal algebraic notation.

Disambiguating moves

When two (or more) identical pieces can move to the same square, the moving piece is uniquely identified by specifying the piece's letter, followed by (in descending order of preference):

1. the file of departure (if they differ);
2. the rank of departure (if the files are the same but the ranks differ).

If neither file nor rank alone is sufficient to identify the piece (such as when three or more pieces of the same type can move to the same square), then both are specified (double disambiguation).

In the diagram, both black rooks could legally move to f8, so the move of the d8-rook to f8 is disambiguated as Rdf8. For the white rooks on the a-file which could both move to a3, it is necessary to provide the rank of the moving piece, i.e., R1a3.

In the case of the white queen on h4 moving to e1, neither the rank nor file alone are sufficient to disambiguate from the other white queens. As such, this move is written Qh4e1.

As above, an "x" can be inserted to indicate a capture; for example, if the final case were a capture, it would be written as Qh4xe1.

Pawn promotion

When a pawn promotes, the piece promoted to is indicated at the end. For example, a pawn on e7 promoting to a queen on e8 may be variously rendered as e8Q, e8=Q, e8(Q), e8/Q etc.

Castling

Castling is indicated by the special notations 0-0 (for kingside castling) and 0-0-0 (queenside castling). O-O and O-O-O (letter O rather than digit 0) are also commonly used.cite-ref-7[a]

Check

A move that places the opponent's king in check usually has the symbol "+" appended. Alternatively, sometimes a dagger (†) or the abbreviation "ch" is used. Some publications indicate a discovered check with an abbreviation such as "dis ch", or with a specific symbol. Double check is usually indicated the same as check, but is sometimes represented specifically as "dbl ch" or "++", particularly in older chess literature. Some publications such as ECO omit any indication of check.

Checkmate

Checkmate at the completion of moves is represented by the symbol "#" in standard FIDE notation and PGN. The word mate is commonly used instead; occasionally a double dagger (‡) or a double plus sign (++) is used, although the double plus sign is also used to represent "double check" when a king is under attack by two enemy pieces simultaneously. A checkmate is represented by "≠" (the not equal sign) in the macOS chess application. In Russian and ex-USSR publications, where captures are indicated by ":", checkmate can also be represented by "X" or "x".

Draw offer

FIDE specifies draw offers to be recorded by an equals sign with parentheses "(=)" after the move on the score sheet.cite-ref-8[7] This is not usually included in published game scores.

End of game

The notation 1–0 at the completion of moves indicates that White won, 0–1 indicates that Black won and ½–½ indicates a draw. In case of forfeit, the scores 0–0, ½–0 and 0–½ are also possible.cite-ref-9[8]cite-ref-10[9] In case of loss by default, results are +/−, −/+ or −/−.

Except in the case of checkmate, there is no information in the notation regarding the circumstance of the final result. Merely 1–0 or 0–1 is written whether a player resigned, lost due to time control or forfeited; in the case of a draw ½–½ is written whether the draw was decided by mutual agreement, repetition, stalemate, 50-move rule or dead position. Sometimes direct information is given by words such as "resigns", "draw agreed" etc., but this is not considered part of the notation, rather a part of the narrative text.

Similar notations

Besides standard (or short form) algebraic notation already described, several similar systems have been used.

Long algebraic notation

In long algebraic notation, also known as fully expanded algebraic notation, both the starting and ending squares are specified, for example: e2e4. Sometimes these are separated by a hyphen, e.g. Nb1-c3, while captures are indicated by an "x", e.g. Rd3xd7. Long algebraic notation takes more space and is no longer commonly used in print; however, it has the advantage of clarity. Both short and long algebraic notation are acceptable for keeping a record of the moves on a scoresheet, as is required in FIDE rated games.

A form of long algebraic notation (without piece names) is also used by the Universal Chess Interface (UCI) standard, which is a common way for graphical chess programs to communicate with chess engines, e.g. e2e4, e1g1 (castling), e7e8q (promotion).cite-ref-wbec-ucip-11-0[10]

ICCF numeric notation

In international correspondence chess the use of algebraic notation may cause confusion, since different languages employ different names (and therefore different initial letters) for the pieces, and some players may be unfamiliar with the Latin alphabet. Hence, the standard for transmitting moves by post or email is ICCF numeric notation, which identifies squares using numerical coordinates, and identifies both the departure and destination squares. For example, the move 1.e4 is rendered as 1.5254. In recent years, the majority of correspondence games have been played on on-line servers rather than by email or post, leading to a decline in the use of ICCF numeric notation.

PGN

Portable Game Notation (PGN) is a text-based file format for storing chess games, which uses standard English algebraic notation and a small amount of markup.cite-ref-12[11] PGN can be processed by almost all chess software, as well as being easily readable by humans. For example, the Game of the Century could be represented as follows in PGN:

[Event "Third Rosenwald Trophy"]
[Site "New York, NY USA"]
[Date "1956.10.17"]
[EventDate "1956.10.07"]
[Round "8"]
[Result "0-1"]
[White "Donald Byrne"]
[Black "Robert James Fischer"]
[ECO "D92"]
[WhiteElo "?"]
[BlackElo "?"]
[PlyCount "82"]
1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.d4 O-O 5.Bf4 d5 6.Qb3 dxc4 7.Qxc4 c6 8.e4 Nbd7 9.Rd1 Nb6 10.Qc5 Bg4 11.Bg5 Na4 12.Qa3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Nxe4 14.Bxe7 Qb6 15.Bc4 Nxc3 16.Bc5 Rfe8+ 17.Kf1 Be6 18.Bxb6 Bxc4+ 19.Kg1 Ne2+ 20.Kf1 Nxd4+ 21.Kg1 Ne2+ 22.Kf1 Nc3+ 23.Kg1 axb6 24.Qb4 Ra4 25.Qxb6 Nxd1 26.h3 Rxa2 27.Kh2 Nxf2 28.Re1 Rxe1 29.Qd8+ Bf8 30.Nxe1 Bd5 31.Nf3 Ne4 32.Qb8 b5 33.h4 h5 34.Ne5 Kg7 35.Kg1 Bc5+ 36.Kf1 Ng3+ 37.Ke1 Bb4+ 38.Kd1 Bb3+ 39.Kc1 Ne2+ 40.Kb1 Nc3+ 41.Kc1 Rc2# 0-1

Formatting

A game or series of moves is generally written in one of two ways; in two columns, as White/Black pairs, preceded by the move number and a period:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6

or horizontally:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6

Moves may be interspersed with commentary, called annotations. When the game score resumes with a Black move, an ellipsis (...) fills the position of the White move, for example:

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 White attacks the black e-pawn.
2... Nc6 Black defends and develops simultaneously.
3. Bb5 White plays the Ruy Lopez.
3... a6 Black elects Morphy's Defense.

Annotation symbols

Though not technically a part of algebraic notation, the following are some symbols commonly used by annotators, for example in publications Chess Informant and Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, to give editorial comment on a move or position.

The symbol chosen is appended to the end of the move notation, for example, in the Soller Gambit: 1.d4 e5?! 2.dxe5 f6 3.e4! Nc6 4.Bc4+/−.

Moves

| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| !! | A brilliant—and usually surprising—move |
| ! | A very good move |
| !? | An interesting move that may not be the… |
| ?! | A dubious move that is not easily refut… |
| ? | A bad move; a mistake |
| ?? | A blunder (i.e. critically bad mistake) |
| ⌓ | A better move than the one played |
| □ | A forced move ; the only reasonable mov… |
| TN or N | A theoretical novelty |

Positions

| Symbol | Meaning |
|---|---|
| = | Both players have equal chances . |
| +/= or ⩲ | White has a slight plus. |
| =/+ or ⩱ | Black has a slight plus. |
| +/− or ± | White has a clear plus. |
| −/+ or ∓ | Black has a clear plus. |
| +− | White has a winning advantage. |
| −+ | Black has a winning advantage. |
| ∞ | It is unclear whether either side has a… |
| =/ ∞ or ⯹ | Whoever is down in material has compens… |

History

Descriptive notation was usual in the Middle Ages in Europe. A form of algebraic chess notation that seems to have been borrowed from Muslim chess, however, appeared in Europe in a 12th-century manuscript referred to as "MS. Paris Fr. 1173 (PP.)". The files run from a to h, just as they do in the current standard algebraic notation. The ranks, however, are also designated by letters, with the exception of the 8th rank which is distinct because it has no letter. The ranks are lettered in reverse – from the 7th to the 1st: k, l, m, n, o, p, q.cite-ref-0-13-0[12]

Another system of notation using only letters appears in a book of Mediaeval chess, Rechenmeister Jacob Köbel's Schachzabel Spiel of 1520.cite-ref-0-13-1[12]

Algebraic notation exists in various forms and languages and is based on a system developed by Philipp Stamma in the 1730s. Stamma used the modern names of the squares (and may have been the first to number the ranks), but he used p for pawn moves and the capital original file of a piece (A through H) instead of the initial letter of the piece name as used now.cite-ref-14[13] Piece letters were introduced in the 1780s by Moses Hirschel, and Johann Allgaier with Aaron Alexandre developed the modern castling notation in the 1810s.cite-ref-15[14]

Algebraic notation was described in 1847 by Howard Staunton in his book The Chess-Player's Handbook. Staunton credits the idea to German authors, and in particular to "Alexandre, Jaenisch and the Handbuch [des Schachspiels]".cite-ref-16[15] While algebraic notation has been used in German and Russian chess literature since the 19th century, the Anglosphere was slow to adopt it, using descriptive notation for much of the 20th century. Beginning in the 1970s, algebraic notation gradually became more common in English language publications, and by 1980 it had become the prevalent notation. In 1981, FIDE stopped recognizing descriptive notation, and algebraic notation became the accepted international standard.

Piece names in various languages

The table contains names for all the pieces as well as the words for chess, check and checkmate in several languages.cite-ref-17[16] Several languages use the Arabic loanword alfil for the piece called bishop in English; in this context it is a chess-specific term which no longer has its original meaning of "elephant".

| Language | King |
|---|---|
| figure | ♔ ♚ |
| Afrikaans | K Koning king |
| Albanian | M Mbreti king |
| Arabic | م مَلِك (malik) king |
| Azerbaijani | Ş Şah shah |
| Armenian | Ա Արքա (Ark῾a) king |
| Basque | E Erregea king |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | К кароль king |
| Bengali | R রাজা (rājā) King |
| Bulgarian | Ц цар tsar |
| Catalan | R rei |
| Chinese | K 王 (wáng) king |
| Czech | K král king |
| Danish | K konge king |
| Dutch | K koning king |
| English | K king |
| Esperanto | R reĝo king |
| Estonian | K kuningas king |
| Finnish | K kuningas king |
| French | R roi king |
| Galician | R rei king |
| Georgian | მფ მეფე (mep'e) king |
| German | K König king |
| Greek | Ρ βασιλιάς (vasiliás) king |
| Hindi | R राजा (rājā) king |
| Hebrew | מ מלך (Melech) king |
| Hausa | S sarki king |
| Hungarian | K király king |
| Icelandic | K kóngur king |
| Ido | R rejo king |
| Indonesian | R raja king |
| Interslavic | K kralj king |
| Irish | R rí king |
| Italian | R re king |
| Japanese | K キング (kingu) |
| Javanese | R raja king |
| Kannada | ರಾ ರಾಜ (raaja) king |
| Kazakh | Кр патша (patşa) king |
| Korean | K 킹 (king) |
| Latin | R rex king |
| Latvian | K karalis king |
| Lithuanian | K karalius king |
| Luxembourgish | K Kinnek king |
| Macedonian | K крал king |
| Malayalam | K രാജാവ് (raajavu) king |
| Marathi | R राजा (rājā) king |
| Mongolian | Н ноён noyan |
| Norwegian Bokmål | K konge king |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | K konge king |
| Odia | K ରଜା (rôja) king |
| Oromo | M Mootii |
| Persian | ش شاه king |
| Polish | K król king |
| Portuguese | R rei king |
| Romanian | R rege king |
| Russian | Кр король (korol') king |
| Scottish Gaelic | R righ king |
| Serbo-Croatian | K kralj ( К краљ) king |
| Northern Sotho | K Kgoši |
| Sicilian | R re king |
| Slovak | K kráľ king |
| Slovene | K kralj king |
| Spanish | R rey king |
| Swedish | K kung king |
| Tamil | K அரசன் (arasaṉ) king |
| Telugu | రాజు (rāju) king |
| Thai | ข ขุน (khun) king |
| Turkish | Ş/K şah / kral shah / king |
| Ukrainian | Kр король (korol) king |
| Urdu | بادشاہ (bādshāh) |
| Vietnamese | V vua king |
| Welsh | T teyrn / brenin lord / king |

| Language | Queen |
|---|---|
| figure | ♕ ♛ |
| Afrikaans | D Dame lady |
| Albanian | D Dama / Mbretëresha lady / queen |
| Arabic | و وزير (wazïr) vizier |
| Azerbaijani | V Vəzir vizier |
| Armenian | Թ Թագուհի (T῾agowhi) queen |
| Basque | D Dama lady |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | Вз візыр vizier |
| Bengali | M মন্ত্রী (montri) Minister |
| Bulgarian | Д дама / царица lady / tsaritsa |
| Catalan | D dama / reina lady / queen |
| Chinese | Q 后 (hòu) queen |
| Czech | D dáma lady |
| Danish | D dronning queen |
| Dutch | D dame / koningin lady / queen |
| English | Q queen |
| Esperanto | D damo lady |
| Estonian | L lipp flag |
| Finnish | D daami / kuningatar lady / queen |
| French | D dame lady |
| Galician | D dama / raíña lady / queen |
| Georgian | ლ ლაზიერი (lazieri) queen |
| German | D Dame lady / queen |
| Greek | Β βασίλισσα (vasílissa) queen |
| Hindi | V वज़ीर / रानी (vazīr / rānī) vizier / q… |
| Hebrew | מה מלכה (Malka) queen |
| Hausa | Q sarauniya queen |
| Hungarian | V vezér / királynő leader / queen |
| Icelandic | D drottning queen |
| Ido | D damo lady |
| Indonesian | M menteri minister / vizier |
| Interslavic | C carica / dama empress / lady |
| Irish | B banríon queen |
| Italian | D donna / regina lady / queen |
| Japanese | Q クイーン (kuīn) |
| Javanese | Q ratu / perdhana mentri queen / prime… |
| Kannada | ಮ ಮಂತ್ರಿ (mantri) minister |
| Kazakh | У уәзір (uäzır) vizier |
| Korean | Q 퀸 (kwin) |
| Latin | M regina queen |
| Latvian | D dāma lady |
| Lithuanian | V valdovė queen |
| Luxembourgish | D Damm lady |
| Macedonian | D кралица / дама queen / lady |
| Malayalam | Q മന്ത്രി (manthri) minister |
| Marathi | V वजीर (vajīr) vizier |
| Mongolian | Б бэрс (fers) vizier |
| Norwegian Bokmål | D dronning queen |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | D dronning queen |
| Odia | Q ରାଣୀ (raṇi) queen |
| Oromo | Mt Mootittii |
| Persian | و وزیر vizier / minister |
| Polish | H hetman / królowa general (hist.) / qu… |
| Portuguese | D dama / rainha lady / queen |
| Romanian | D damă / regină lady / queen |
| Russian | Ф ферзь / королева (ferz' / koroleva) v… |
| Scottish Gaelic | B bànrigh queen |
| Serbo-Croatian | D kraljica / dama ( Д краљицa / дама) q… |
| Northern Sotho | Kg Kgošigadi |
| Sicilian | D riggina queen |
| Slovak | D dáma lady |
| Slovene | D dama lady |
| Spanish | D dama / reina lady / queen |
| Swedish | D dam / drottning lady / queen |
| Tamil | Q அரசி (araci) queen |
| Telugu | మంత్రి (maṃtri) minister |
| Thai | ต เม็ด / ตรี / มนตรี (met / tri / montr… |
| Turkish | V vezir vizier |
| Ukrainian | Ф ферзь (ferz) vizier |
| Urdu | وزیر (vazīr) |
| Vietnamese | H hậu queen |
| Welsh | B brenhines queen |

| Language | Rook |
|---|---|
| figure | ♖ ♜ |
| Afrikaans | T Toring tower |
| Albanian | T Torra tower |
| Arabic | ر رخ / طابية (rukhkh / ṭābiya) fortress… |
| Azerbaijani | T Top cannon |
| Armenian | Ն Նավակ (Navak) ship |
| Basque | G Gaztelua castle |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | Лд ладзьдзя boat |
| Bengali | N নৌকা (noukā) Boat |
| Bulgarian | Т топ cannon |
| Catalan | T torre tower |
| Chinese | R 車 (jū) chariot |
| Czech | V věž tower |
| Danish | T tårn tower |
| Dutch | T toren / kasteel tower / castle |
| English | R rook, castle |
| Esperanto | T turo tower |
| Estonian | V vanker chariot / carriage |
| Finnish | T torni tower |
| French | T tour tower |
| Galician | T torre tower |
| Georgian | ე ეტლი (etli) chariot |
| German | T Turm tower |
| Greek | Π πύργος (pýrgos) tower |
| Hindi | H हाथी (hāthī) elephant |
| Hebrew | צ צריח (Tzariach) tower |
| Hausa | R sansanin fortress |
| Hungarian | B bástya bastion |
| Icelandic | H hrókur rook |
| Ido | T turmo tower |
| Indonesian | B benteng castle / fortress |
| Interslavic | Z zamok / věža castle / tower |
| Irish | C caiseal bulwark |
| Italian | T torre tower |
| Japanese | R ルーク (rūku) |
| Javanese | B bèntèng fortress |
| Kannada | ಆ ಆನೆ (aane) elephant |
| Kazakh | Т тура (tura) tower |
| Korean | R 룩 (rug) |
| Latin | T turris / elephas tower / elephant |
| Latvian | T tornis tower |
| Lithuanian | B bokštas tower |
| Luxembourgish | T Tuerm tower |
| Macedonian | T топ cannon |
| Malayalam | R തേര് (therú) chariot |
| Marathi | H हत्ती (hātti) elephant |
| Mongolian | т тэрэг (tereg) chariot |
| Norwegian Bokmål | T tårn tower |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | T tårn tower |
| Odia | R ଡଙ୍ଗା (ḍôṅga) boat |
| Oromo | G Gidaara, masaraa |
| Persian | ق/ر قلعه/رخ castle |
| Polish | W wieża tower |
| Portuguese | T torre tower |
| Romanian | T turn / tură tower |
| Russian | Л ладья (ladya) boat |
| Scottish Gaelic | T tùr tower |
| Serbo-Croatian | T top / kula ( Т топ / кула) cannon / t… |
| Northern Sotho | N Ntlosebô / Moshate |
| Sicilian | T turru tower |
| Slovak | V veža tower |
| Slovene | T trdnjava castle |
| Spanish | T torre tower |
| Swedish | T torn tower |
| Tamil | R கோட்டை (kōṭṭai) castle |
| Telugu | ఏనుగు (ēnugu) elephant |
| Thai | ร เรือ (ruea) ship |
| Turkish | K kale castle |
| Ukrainian | T тура (tura) tower |
| Urdu | رخ (rukh) |
| Vietnamese | X xe chariot |
| Welsh | C castell castle |

| Language | Bishop |
|---|---|
| figure | ♗ ♝ |
| Afrikaans | L Loper runner |
| Albanian | F Fili / Oficeri elephant / officer |
| Arabic | ف فيل (fīl) elephant |
| Azerbaijani | F Fil elephant |
| Armenian | Փ Փիղ (P῾ił) elephant |
| Basque | A Alfila |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | А афіцэр officer |
| Bengali | H গজ / হাতি (gôj / hāti) Elephant |
| Bulgarian | О офицер officer |
| Catalan | A alfil |
| Chinese | B 象 (xiàng) elephant |
| Czech | S střelec shooter |
| Danish | L løber runner |
| Dutch | L loper / raadsheer runner / counsellor |
| English | B bishop |
| Esperanto | K kuriero courier |
| Estonian | O oda spear |
| Finnish | L lähetti messenger |
| French | F fou jester |
| Galician | B bispo bishop |
| Georgian | კ კუ (ku) tortoise |
| German | L Läufer runner |
| Greek | Α αξιωματικός (axiomatikós) officer |
| Hindi | O ऊँट (ūṁṭ) camel |
| Hebrew | ר רץ (Ratz) runner |
| Hausa | G giwa elephant |
| Hungarian | F futó runner |
| Icelandic | B biskup bishop |
| Ido | E episkopo bishop |
| Indonesian | G gajah elephant |
| Interslavic | L lovec hunter |
| Irish | E easpag bishop |
| Italian | A alfiere standard-bearer |
| Japanese | B ビショップ (bishoppu) |
| Javanese | M mentri minister |
| Kannada | ರ ರಥ (ratha) chariot |
| Kazakh | П піл (pıl) elephant |
| Korean | B 비숍 (bi syob) |
| Latin | A signifer / cursor / stultus / alphinu… |
| Latvian | L laidnis |
| Lithuanian | R rikis Lithuanian military commander |
| Luxembourgish | L Leefer runner |
| Macedonian | L ловец hunter |
| Malayalam | B ആന (aana) elephant |
| Marathi | O उंट (Unṭ) camel |
| Mongolian | Т тэмээ (temee) camel |
| Norwegian Bokmål | L løper runner |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | L løpar runner |
| Odia | B ହାତୀ (hati) elephant |
| Oromo | A abuunii |
| Persian | ف فیل elephant |
| Polish | G goniec / laufer courier / (ger. deriv… |
| Portuguese | B bispo bishop |
| Romanian | N nebun fool |
| Russian | С слон (slon) elephant |
| Scottish Gaelic | E easbaig bishop |
| Serbo-Croatian | L lovac / strijelac / laufer ( Л ловац… |
| Northern Sotho | Mp Mopišopo |
| Sicilian | A alferu |
| Slovak | S strelec shooter |
| Slovene | L lovec hunter |
| Spanish | A alfil |
| Swedish | L löpare runner |
| Tamil | B அமைச்சர் / மந்திரி (amaicchar / manth… |
| Telugu | శకటు (śakaţu) |
| Thai | ค โคน (khon) |
| Turkish | F fil elephant |
| Ukrainian | C слон (slon) elephant |
| Urdu | فيلہ (fīlah) |
| Vietnamese | T tượng / tịnh / voi elephant |
| Welsh | E esgob bishop |

| Language | Knight |
|---|---|
| figure | ♘ ♞ |
| Afrikaans | R Ruiter rider |
| Albanian | K Kali horse |
| Arabic | ح حصان (ħiṣān) horse |
| Azerbaijani | A At horse |
| Armenian | Ձ Ձի (Dzi) horse |
| Basque | Z Zalduna knight |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | В вершнік rider |
| Bengali | G ঘোড়া (ghoṛā) Horse |
| Bulgarian | К кон horse |
| Catalan | C cavall horse |
| Chinese | N 馬 (mǎ) horse |
| Czech | J jezdec rider |
| Danish | S springer jumper |
| Dutch | P paard horse |
| English | N knight |
| Esperanto | Ĉ ĉevalo horse |
| Estonian | R ratsu riding horse |
| Finnish | R ratsu ride |
| French | C cavalier rider |
| Galician | C cabalo horse |
| Georgian | მ მხედარი (mkhedari) rider |
| German | S Springer jumper |
| Greek | Ι ίππος (íppos) horse |
| Hindi | G घोड़ा (ghoṛā) horse |
| Hebrew | פ פרש (Parash) horseman |
| Hausa | J jarumi mounted warrior |
| Hungarian | H huszár / ló hussar / horse |
| Icelandic | R riddari knight |
| Ido | K kavalo horse |
| Indonesian | K kuda horse |
| Interslavic | J jezdec / konj rider / horse |
| Irish | D ridire knight |
| Italian | C cavallo horse |
| Japanese | N ナイト (naito) |
| Javanese | K jaran horse |
| Kannada | ಕು ಕುದುರೆ (kudure) horse |
| Kazakh | А ат (at) horse |
| Korean | N 나이트 (na i teu) |
| Latin | E eques knight |
| Latvian | Z zirgs horse |
| Lithuanian | Ž žirgas horse |
| Luxembourgish | P Päerd horse |
| Macedonian | S коњ / скокач horse / jumper |
| Malayalam | N/Kt കുതിര (kuthira) horse |
| Marathi | G घोडा (ghoḍā) horse |
| Mongolian | М морь (mor) horse |
| Norwegian Bokmål | S springer jumper |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | S springar jumper |
| Odia | N ଘୋଡ଼ା (ghoṛa) horse |
| Oromo | N namkabajaa |
| Persian | ا اسب horse |
| Polish | S skoczek / koń jumper / horse |
| Portuguese | C cavalo horse |
| Romanian | C cal horse |
| Russian | К конь (kon') horse |
| Scottish Gaelic | D ridir knight |
| Serbo-Croatian | S skakač / konj ( С скaкaч / коњ) jumpe… |
| Northern Sotho | M Mogale |
| Sicilian | S scecc[h]u donkey |
| Slovak | J jazdec rider |
| Slovene | S skakač jumper |
| Spanish | C caballo horse |
| Swedish | H springare / riddare horse/knight |
| Tamil | N/Kt குதிரை (kutirai) horse |
| Telugu | గుర్రం (gurraṃ) horse |
| Thai | ม ม้า (ma) horse |
| Turkish | A at horse |
| Ukrainian | K кінь (kin) horse |
| Urdu | گھوڑا (ghōṛā) |
| Vietnamese | M mã / ngựa horse |
| Welsh | M marchog rider |

| Language | Pawn |
|---|---|
| figure | ♙ ♟ |
| Afrikaans | (P) Pion |
| Albanian | (U) Ushtari soldier |
| Arabic | ب بيدق / عسكري (baidaq / `askarī) pawn… |
| Azerbaijani | P Piyada foot soldier |
| Armenian | Զ Զինվոր (Zinvor) soldier |
| Basque | (P) Peoia pawn |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | (Л) латнік pawn |
| Bengali | B বোড়ে / সৈন্য (boṛe / śoinno) Walker /… |
| Bulgarian | (П) пешка foot soldier |
| Catalan | (P) peó |
| Chinese | (P) 兵 (bīng) soldier |
| Czech | (P) pěšec foot soldier |
| Danish | (B) bonde peasant |
| Dutch | (pi) pion |
| English | (P) pawn |
| Esperanto | (P) peono |
| Estonian | (E) ettur forwarder |
| Finnish | (S) sotilas soldier |
| French | (P) pion |
| Galician | (P) peón foot soldier |
| Georgian | პ პაიკი (paiki) pawn |
| German | (B) Bauer peasant / farmer |
| Greek | (Σ) πιόνι (pióni) pawn |
| Hindi | (P) प्यादा (pyādā) infantryman |
| Hebrew | רגלי (Regli) foot soldier |
| Hausa | (P) soja soldier |
| Hungarian | (Gy) gyalog / paraszt footman / peasant |
| Icelandic | (P) peð pawn |
| Ido | (P) piono |
| Indonesian | (P) pion |
| Interslavic | (P) pěšak infantryman |
| Irish | (F) fichillín / ceithearnach little che… |
| Italian | (P) pedone foot soldier |
| Japanese | (P) ポーン (pōn) |
| Javanese | (P) pion |
| Kannada | ಪಾ ಪದಾತಿ (padaati) foot soldier |
| Kazakh | (П) пешка (peşka) / (С) сарбаз (sarbaz)… |
| Korean | (P) 폰 (pon) |
| Latin | ( P ) pedes / pedo foot soldier |
| Latvian | (B) bandinieks peasant |
| Lithuanian | (P) pėstininkas pawn |
| Luxembourgish | (B) Bauer farmer |
| Macedonian | P пешак / пион infantryman / pawn |
| Malayalam | (P) കാലാള്‍ / പടയാളി (kaalal / padayaal… |
| Marathi | (P) प्यादे (pyāde) foot soldier |
| Mongolian | (Х) хүү (hüü) boy |
| Norwegian Bokmål | (B) bonde peasant |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | (B) bonde peasant |
| Odia | P ସୈନିକ (sôinikô) soldier |
| Oromo | Cheezii |
| Persian | س/پ سرباز/پیاده soldier |
| Polish | (P) pion / pionek pawn |
| Portuguese | (P) peão foot soldier |
| Romanian | (P) pion |
| Russian | (П) пешка (peshka) |
| Scottish Gaelic | (P) pàn pawn |
| Serbo-Croatian | (P) pješak / pion / pijun ( (П) пешак /… |
| Northern Sotho | S Seitšhireletšo |
| Sicilian | (P) pidinu foot soldier |
| Slovak | (P) pešiak infantryman / pawn |
| Slovene | (P) kmet farmer |
| Spanish | (P) peón foot soldier |
| Swedish | (B) bonde peasant |
| Tamil | (P) காலாள் / சிப்பாய் (kālāḷ / cippāy)… |
| Telugu | బంటు (baṃţu) soldier |
| Thai | (บ) เบี้ย (bia) menial |
| Turkish | (P) er / piyon soldier / pawn |
| Ukrainian | (П) пішак / пішка (pishak / pishka) foo… |
| Urdu | پیادہ (pyādah) |
| Vietnamese | tốt / chốt / binh soldier |
| Welsh | (G) gwerinwr peasant |

| Language | Chess |
|---|---|
| figure | n/a |
| Afrikaans | Skaak |
| Albanian | Shahu |
| Arabic | شطرنج (shaṭranj) |
| Azerbaijani | Şahmat |
| Armenian | Շախմատ (Šaxmat) Ճատրակ (Čatrak) |
| Basque | Xake |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | Шахматы |
| Bengali | দাবা (dābā) |
| Bulgarian | Шахмат / Шах |
| Catalan | Escacs |
| Chinese | 國際象棋 (guójì xiàngqí) international chess |
| Czech | Šachy |
| Danish | Skak |
| Dutch | Schaken |
| English | Chess |
| Esperanto | Ŝako |
| Estonian | Male after malev |
| Finnish | Shakki |
| French | Échecs |
| Galician | Xadrez |
| Georgian | ჭადრაკი (Čadraki) |
| German | Schach |
| Greek | Σκάκι (Skáki) |
| Hindi | शतरंज ( śatrañj ) |
| Hebrew | שחמט (Shakhmat) |
| Hausa | ces |
| Hungarian | Sakk |
| Icelandic | Skák |
| Ido | Shakoludo |
| Indonesian | Catur |
| Interslavic | Šahy |
| Irish | Ficheall |
| Italian | Scacchi |
| Japanese | チェス (chesu) |
| Javanese | sekak |
| Kannada | ಚದುರಂಗ ( caduraṅga ) |
| Kazakh | шахмат (şahmat) |
| Korean | 체스 (che seu) |
| Latin | Scacci |
| Latvian | Šahs |
| Lithuanian | Šachmatai |
| Luxembourgish | Schach |
| Macedonian | шах |
| Malayalam | ചതുരംഗം (chathurangam) |
| Marathi | बुद्धिबळ (buddhibal) |
| Mongolian | Шатар |
| Norwegian Bokmål | Sjakk |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | Sjakk |
| Odia | ଚେସ୍/ଶତରଞ୍ଜ (chess/śôtôrôñjô) |
| Oromo | Mirkaneeffannaa |
| Persian | شطرنج (shatranj) |
| Polish | Szachy |
| Portuguese | Xadrez |
| Romanian | Șah |
| Russian | шахматы (shakhmaty) |
| Scottish Gaelic | feòirne |
| Serbo-Croatian | Šah (Шах) |
| Northern Sotho | Tšhêšê |
| Sicilian | Scacchi |
| Slovak | Šach |
| Slovene | Šah |
| Spanish | Ajedrez |
| Swedish | Schack |
| Tamil | சதுரங்கம் (sathurankam) |
| Telugu | చదరంగం (cadaraṃgaṃ) |
| Thai | หมากรุก (makruk) |
| Turkish | Satranç |
| Ukrainian | Шахи (shakhi) |
| Urdu | شطرنج (šaṭranj) |
| Vietnamese | Cờ vua |
| Welsh | Gwyddbwyll |

| Language | Check | Checkmate /Mate |
|---|---|---|
| figure | + or † | # or ++ or ‡ |
| Afrikaans | Skaak | Skaakmat |
| Albanian | Shah | Shah mat |
| Arabic | كِش مَلِك (kish malik) | كِش مات (kish māt) |
| Azerbaijani | şah shah | mat mat |
| Armenian | Շախ (Šax) | Մատ (Mat) |
| Basque | Xake | Xake mate |
| Belarusian ( Taraškievica ) | Шах | Мат |
| Bengali | কিস্তি (kisti) Check | কিস্তিমাত (kistimāt) Checkmate |
| Bulgarian | Шах | (Шах и) мат |
| Catalan | Escac / Xec | Escac i mat |
| Chinese | 將軍 (jiāngjūn) | 將死 (jiāng sǐ) |
| Czech | Šach | Mat |
| Danish | Skak | Skakmat |
| Dutch | Schaak | Mat / Schaakmat |
| English | Check | Checkmate / Mate |
| Esperanto | Ŝak | Ŝakmato |
| Estonian | Tuli / Šahh fire | Matt |
| Finnish | Shakki | Matti / Shakkimatti |
| French | Échec | Échec et mat |
| Galician | Xaque | Xaque mate |
| Georgian | ქიში (K'ishi) | შამათი (Shamat'i) |
| German | Schach | Matt / Schachmatt |
| Greek | Σαχ (Sach) / Ρουά (Rouá) | Mατ (Mat) |
| Hindi | शह (Shah) | शहमात (Shahmāt) |
| Hebrew | שח (Shakh) | מט (Mat) |
| Hausa | ceki | ceki mat |
| Hungarian | Sakk | Matt / Sakk-matt |
| Icelandic | Skák | Skák og mát |
| Ido | Shako | Shakmato |
| Indonesian | Sekak / Ster | Sekakmat |
| Interslavic | Šah | Mat |
| Irish | Sáinn | Marbhsháinn |
| Italian | Scacco | Scacco matto |
| Japanese | 王手 (ōte) / チェック (chekku) | 詰み (tsumi) / チェックメイト (chekkumeito) |
| Kazakh | шах (şah) | мат (mat) |
| Korean | 체크 (che keu) | 체크메이트 (che keu me i teu) |
| Latin | Scaccus | Mattus |
| Latvian | Šahs | Šahs un mats |
| Lithuanian | Šach | Matas |
| Luxembourgish | Schach | Schachmatt |
| Macedonian | шах | мат |
| Malayalam | ചെക്ക് | ചെക്ക് മേറ്റ് |
| Marathi | शह (shah) | शहमात (shahmāt) |
| Mongolian | шаг / дуг / цод | мад |
| Norwegian Bokmål | Sjakk | Sjakkmatt |
| Norwegian Nynorsk | Sjakk | Sjakkmatt |
| Odia | ଚେକ୍ (check) | ଚେକମେଟ୍ (checkmate) |
| Oromo | Waayila / Mate | |
| Persian | کیش (kish) | مات (mat) |
| Polish | szach | mat / szach-mat |
| Portuguese | Xeque | Xeque-mate |
| Romanian | Șah | Mat / Șah mat |
| Russian | шах (shakh) | мат (mat) |
| Scottish Gaelic | casg | tul-chasg |
| Serbo-Croatian | Šah (Шах) | Mat (Мат) |
| Northern Sotho | Check | Checkmate |
| Slovak | Šach | Mat / Šachmat |
| Slovene | Šah | Mat / Šahmat |
| Spanish | Jaque | Jaque mate |
| Swedish | Schack | Schack matt |
| Tamil | முற்றுகை (muṟṟukai) | இறுதி முற்றுகை (iṟuti muṟṟukai) |
| Telugu | దాడి (dāḍi) | కట్టు (kaţţu) |
| Thai | รุก (ruk) | จน (chon) |
| Turkish | Şah | Mat |
| Ukrainian | Шах (shakh) | Мат (mat) |
| Urdu | شہ (sheh) | شہمات (shehmāt) |
| Vietnamese | Chiếu / Chiếu tướng | Chiếu bí / Chiếu hết / Sát cục / Tuyệt… |
| Welsh | Siach | Siachmat |

See also
Notes

cite-note-7a. The main differences from standard Algebraic are that there is both a dot and a space after each move number, and an upper case "O" is used, instead of a zero, in the notation for castling. Presumably these were initially just one individual's personal foible (or error) in the early days of chess on the Internet, but the standard is now established. — Burgess (1997)cite-ref-6[6]

References

cite-note-oxford-11. citerefhooperwhyld1996Hooper, David; Whyld, Kenneth (1996) [First pub. 1992]. "standard notation". The Oxford Companion to Chess (2nd ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 389. ISBN 0-19-280049-3.
cite-note-22. "E. Miscellaneous / 01. Laws of Chess / FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2023 / FIDE Handbook". International Chess Federation (FIDE). Retrieved 2024-11-30.
cite-note-33. "Test for Unicode support in Web browsers".
cite-note-fidelawsofchess-41. "FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2018". FIDE. 2018-01-01. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
cite-note-55. see FIDE Laws of Chesscite-ref-fidelawsofchess-4-0[4].
cite-note-66. citerefburgess2000Burgess, Graham (2000) [1997]. The Mammoth Book of Chess. Carroll & Graph. p. 517. ISBN 0-7867-0725-9.
cite-note-87. Article 9.1.2.2 in FIDE Laws of Chesscite-ref-fidelawsofchess-4-1[4]
cite-note-98. User's Manual for Vega Chess Pairing Software (FIDE-approved), p. 16.
cite-note-109. Geurt Gijssen, An Arbiter's Notebook, no. 164.
cite-note-wbec-ucip-1110. "UCI protocol". wbec-ridderkerk.nl. Retrieved 2018-06-14.
cite-note-1211. "Standard: Portable Game Notation Specification and Implementation Guide".
cite-note-0-1312. citerefmurray1913Murray, Harold James Ruthven (1913). A History of Chess. Oxford, UK: Clarendon Press. pp. 469–470.
cite-note-1413. citerefdavidson-henry1981Davidson, Henry (1981). A Short History of Chess. David McKay. pp. 152–153. ISBN 978-0679145509.
cite-note-1514. citerefwallWall, Bill. "Chess Notation".
cite-note-1615. citerefstaunton1866Staunton, Howard (1866). The Chess-Player's Handbook (Second, revised ed.). London, UK: Bell & Daldy. p. 501 – via Google Books. A popular and scientific introduction to the game of chess, exemplified in games actually played by the greatest masters, and illustrated by numerous diagrams of original and remarkable positions.
cite-note-1716. Sources for this section include Wikipedia articles in various languages. Archived 2009-10-25.
cite-note-182. The Estonian chess terms were coined by Ado Grenzstein.
cite-note-193. "Handbook". www.fide.com. Retrieved 22 March 2019. The pieces bear the names: Koenig, Dame, Turm, Laeufer, Springer, Bauer
cite-note-murray-204. H. J. R. Murray, A History of Chess, ch. 11.

External links

The Wikibook

Chess

has a page on the topic of:

Notating The Game

Look up

algebraic notation

or

Appendix:Algebraic notation

in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

• FIDE Laws of Chess (see Appendix C. Algebraic Notation)