How To Use Chess Notation

Learn the symbol for each square. The rows are numbered one to eight from white’s perspective. The columns are indicated by lowercase letters, a through h.

Learn the symbols for moves, which are the symbol for the piece followed by the symbol for the square it moves to.

If two pieces in different columns can move to the same square, use the column letter of the starting square after the piece symbol. If they’re in the same column, use the row number instead.

Use a lowercase x to signal a capture. First record the piece making the capture, then add the x and the square the piece moves to.

Record castling. Kingside is indicated by O-O. For queenside, add another -O.

Show promotions by adding an equals sign and the symbol for the new piece.

Record each turn on a single line, with white’s move first, then a space, followed by black’s move. Indicate check with a plus sign and checkmate with a hash sign.