--- title: "Algebraic notation in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "Algebraic notation is the standard system for recording chess moves. A move in algebraic notation answers two questions: which piece moved, and where it went." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coordinates.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/disambiguation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-algebraic-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/descriptive-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Algebraic notation in chess > **For AI agents:** the complete index of GeorgeLiChess pages is [llms.txt](https://georgelichess.com/llms.txt). Every page is also served as markdown at its URL plus .md. Algebraic notation is the standard system for recording chess moves. A move in algebraic notation answers two questions: which piece moved, and where it went. Algebraic notation is the standard system for recording chess moves, naming each square by file letter and rank number and each move by the piece letter and destination square, as in Nf3 or exd5. A move in algebraic notation answers two questions: which piece moved, and where it went. The piece is a capital letter, with N used for the knight because K already stands for the king, and the destination is a square name, so Nf3 means a knight arrived on f3. Pawn moves carry no letter at all; e4 simply means a pawn reached e4. Squares never change names. The files carry the letters a to h from White's left, the ranks the numbers 1 to 8 from White's side, and both players use the same [coordinates](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coordinates.md), which is why one game score can be read by anyone. A few extras complete the system. An x marks a capture, as in Bxc6, and a pawn capture always names the file the pawn came from, as in exd5. When two identical pieces could reach the same square, the file or rank of departure is added, as in Rad1 or N5f3. [Castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/castling.md) is 0-0 or 0-0-0, which many books and programs print with the letter O; a plus sign marks check and # marks [checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md). For a [promotion](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/promotion.md) the new piece follows the square, written e8Q in FIDE's text and e8=Q in most software. FIDE recognizes only this system for its own events, and players record their moves in it on the [scoresheet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md). Tip: write each move down right after you play it, and replay games from the move list alone to train [visualization](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/visualization.md). Also called: standard algebraic notation, SAN. Also worth reading is [Annotation symbols](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/annotation-symbols.md). Annotation symbols are the short marks added to written moves, such as + for check, # for checkmate, x for a capture and (=) for a draw offer, along with commentators' marks like ! and ?. It sits close to [Descriptive notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/descriptive-notation.md). Descriptive notation is the older system that records moves relative to each side's own pieces and ranks, such as P-K4 or N-KB3, and it has been largely replaced by algebraic notation. Compare it with [Disambiguation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/disambiguation.md). Disambiguation is the extra letter or number added to a written move when two identical pieces can move to the same square, such as Nbd2 or R1e2, so the move reads only one way. Knowing "Algebraic notation" is the easy part; what to practice next depends on your rating, and the [improvement plans by rating band](https://georgelichess.com/improve.md) list the habits worth building at each level. ## Related terms - [Coordinates](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coordinates.md) - [Disambiguation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/disambiguation.md) - [Scoresheet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md) - [PGN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md) - [Long algebraic notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-algebraic-notation.md) - [Descriptive notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/descriptive-notation.md) ## Guides that go further - [How to choose a chess coach](https://georgelichess.com/how-to-choose-a-chess-coach.md): What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid. - [How much does chess coaching cost?](https://georgelichess.com/chess-coaching-cost.md): Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each. - [The first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book/first-lesson.md): A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li. ## Sources - FIDE Laws of Chess (taking effect from 1 January 2023) (Article 8.1.1.1), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (taking effect from 1 January 2023) (Appendix C), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 [Book your first lesson](https://georgelichess.com/book.md) and George Li reviews your games and builds a study plan around them. Questions about lessons: write to hello@georgelichess.com. ## Related - [Coordinates in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/coordinates.md) - [Disambiguation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/disambiguation.md) - [Scoresheet in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md) - [PGN in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md) - [Long algebraic notation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-algebraic-notation.md) - [Descriptive notation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/descriptive-notation.md) - [Chess terms: Rules, notation and equipment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md) - [Chess terms glossary: plain definitions](https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md)