--- title: "Annotation symbols in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/annotation-symbols.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/annotation-symbols" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "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." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/check.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Annotation symbols 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. 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. 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 ?. A [scoresheet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md) is a record, and a few standard marks make it more precise. The Laws list the official ones: x for a capture, + for check, ++ or # for checkmate, e.p. for an [en passant](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/en-passant.md) capture, and 0-0 and 0-0-0 for [castling](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/castling.md). The capture, check, mate and e.p. marks are optional, while the symbol (=) is how both players record an offer of a draw. Beyond the Laws, books and websites use a wider set of annotation symbols to judge a move. A single exclamation mark is a good move, two a brilliant one, a question mark an error, two a [blunder](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/blunder.md), and the [combinations](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/combination.md) !? and ?! mark moves that are interesting but doubtful. [Evaluation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/evaluation.md) marks, such as = for equal, +/- for White being clearly better and -/+ for Black, describe the position rather than the move. These conventions are not part of the Laws, so check the symbol key in any book before relying on it. For your own training, annotate your games honestly after you play them, marking the moves that you did not understand or did not see coming. Also called: move annotation. Also worth reading is [Draw offer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md). A draw offer is a proposal to end the game in a draw; under the Laws it is made after you move and before you press your clock, carries no conditions, and cannot be withdrawn once made. Also worth reading is [PGN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md). PGN is a text-file standard for chess games: header tags name the event, players and result, then the moves follow in algebraic notation, so databases, engines and websites can all import the same file. Knowing "Annotation symbols" 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 - [Algebraic notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md) - [Scoresheet](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md) - [Draw offer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md) - [Check](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/check.md) - [Checkmate](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md) - [PGN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.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 (effective 1 January 2023) (Appendix C.12), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Appendix C.13.3 to C.13.6), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Article 8.1.5), 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 - [Algebraic notation in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md) - [Scoresheet in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md) - [Draw offer in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md) - [Check in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/check.md) - [Checkmate in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/checkmate.md) - [PGN in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.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)