algebraic chess notation

Algebraic notation is compact, but it follows strict rules that make it possible to know which piece moved, even when it doesn’t explicitly say so. Below is a clear explanation in simple steps.

1. Pawns have no letter

A move like 1. d4 means: the pawn on the d-file moves to square d4. If a pawn were to capture, it would show the file it came from, for example: exd5 = pawn from the e-file captures something on d5.

Because pawns are the only pieces with no letter, the meaning is unambiguous.

2. Pieces use letters

K = King Q = Queen R = Rook B = Bishop N = Knight

So Nc3 means: a knight moves to $c3$.

3. If two pieces can move to the same square, notation adds a qualifier

Example: if two knights could both move to $d2$, it might show:

• Nbd2 (knight from the b-file goes to d2)
• N1d2 (knight from rank 1 goes to d2)

This disambiguation is rarely needed in the opening (because piece positions are still simple), which makes the early moves readable.

4. Geometry determines what pieces can reach the square

You infer “which knight moved” by knowing piece movement rules and the board layout.

Example move: Nc3

In the starting position:

• Knight on $g1$ cannot reach $c3$
• Knight on $b1$ can reach $c3$ Therefore the knight on $b1$ moved.

The notation does not state the starting square because only one option exists.

5. Captures use “x”

Example: Bxf7+ means: bishop captures something on $f7$ and gives check.

6. Checks and checkmates

`# means checkmate

Example: Qh5# — queen on h5 delivers mate.

7. Game endings

1-0 = White wins 0-1 = Black wins 1/2-1/2 = Draw

Example

1. d4 d5 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 1-0

1. d4 d5 White plays $d4$, taking space in the centre. Black responds with $d5$, contesting the centre symmetrically.

2. c4 e6 White plays $c4$, entering the Queen’s Gambit structure by attacking Black’s $d5$ pawn. Black replies with $e6$, supporting the $d5$ pawn and preparing to develop the dark-squared bishop (a standard Queen’s Gambit Declined setup).

3. Nc3 Nf6 White develops the knight to $c3$, increasing pressure on $d5$ and preparing kingside development. Black develops the knight to $f6$, targeting the $d5$ and $e4$ squares.

4. Bg5 Be7 White plays $Bg5$, pinning the knight on $f6$ to the queen. Black responds with $Be7$ to break the pin and prepare to castle.

1-0 The result indicates White won the game. The notation does not show how the win occurred; this is simply the final recorded result.

If you’d like, I can annotate this in the style of an Obsidian note with arrows or highlight key strategic themes (e.g., centre control, development, pins).