by Olivia Smithies
If you want some help going through your chess book, look no further! Here is our quick cheat sheet with the main signs and symbols you need to know about algebraic notation.
Want some more tips on recording in algebraic notation? Check the full article here.
Piece
King
Queen
Bishop
Knight
Rook
Pawn
Symbol
K
Q
B
N
R
(blank)
Example
Kd8
Qh5
Bg2
Nc6
Re8
f6
Move
Piece capture
Pawn capture
Castling kingside
Castling queenside
Check
Checkmate
Pawn promotion
En passant
Great move
Mistake
Symbol
x
x
0-0
0-0-0
+
++ or #
= (piece)
(capture)e.p.
!
?
Example
Nxf2
Bxc8
Qxa1
exf2
hxg5
bxc6
0-0
0-0-0
g6+
Qb3+
Bxc6+
Nf8++
Qxf2#
Re1++
e8=Q
f1=N+
hxg1=R#
hxg6e.p.
cxb3e.p.+
Qc3!
Nxh1!
Bxc3?
h7+?
If you need a bit more help, or want to learn about ‘ambiguous moves’ check out our full article here. If your still can’t make heads or tails of your chess book, it may be written in descriptive notation instead.
If you want to have a go at recording your own games, below is some recording paper we recommend:
Ultimate Score Book
Want to record your tournament matches? This is for you. Comes with cardboard folders for storing your games.
£6.50
Refill Pad for Ultimate Score Book
When you have run out of score sheets in your ‘Ultimate Score Book’ top it up with a refill pad.
£4.00
Mike Basman's Chess Shop 