Descriptive notation
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.
Reading it is easier with a sample. White's P-K4 is the move e4: a pawn goes to the fourth rank of the king's file. Black's reply P-K4 is e5, because Black counts ranks from the far side. So the same text can describe two different squares, depending on who moved.
The file names come from the starting position. The king's file and queen's file are the e- and d-files, and the others are named for the pieces beside them: KB, KN and KR on the king's side, QB, QN and QR on the queen's side. N-KB3 for White is therefore Nf3, and for Black it is Nf6.
Captures usually name the captured piece instead of a square, as in PxP or BxN, and extra letters are added when a move could be read two ways, for example KR-Q1 to say which rook went to the d-file.
You will meet this notation in older English-language books and magazines. FIDE now recognizes only algebraic notation for its own events, and an arbiter should warn a player who keeps score in another system.
To read an old book, label each file of your board with both names and translate a few moves until the pattern sticks.
Unless you study older literature, there is no need to write it yourself.
A neighboring idea is Long algebraic notation. Long algebraic notation is the fuller form of algebraic notation in which each move lists its square of departure as well as its square of arrival, so the knight move Nf3 becomes Ng1-f3 and the pawn move e4 becomes e2-e4.
Compare it with Rank. A rank is any of the eight horizontal rows of the chessboard; FIDE numbers them 1 to 8 beginning on White's side, and rooks and queens slide along them while pawns climb from one rank to the next.
Knowing "Descriptive notation" is the easy part; what to practice next depends on your rating, and the improvement plans by rating band list the habits worth building at each level.
Related terms
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.
Long algebraic notation is the fuller form of algebraic notation in which each move lists its square of departure as well as its square of arrival, so the knight move Nf3 becomes Ng1-f3 and the pawn move e4 becomes e2-e4.
Coordinates are the letters a to h along the files and the numbers 1 to 8 along the ranks that give every square of the chessboard a unique name, such as c3 or g7.
A scoresheet is the paper or electronic form on which each player writes down all the moves of the game in algebraic notation, and which both players sign or approve at the end to confirm the result.
A file is one of the eight vertical columns of the chessboard, labeled a to h from White’s left to right, and a key line along which rooks, queens and pawn structures operate.
A rank is any of the eight horizontal rows of the chessboard; FIDE numbers them 1 to 8 beginning on White's side, and rooks and queens slide along them while pawns climb from one rank to the next.
Guides that go further
What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid.
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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), Appendix C, read Oct 21, 2026.
- FIDE Laws of Chess (taking effect from 1 January 2023), Article 8.1.1.1, read Oct 21, 2026.
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