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.
FIDE's own rules accept this form. Appendix C allows the square of departure to be added, with examples such as Ng1f3 and e7e5, and its sample game is printed both ways. Books often add a hyphen between the two squares, e2-e4, and put an x between them for a capture, e5xd4.
Its strength is that nothing has to be worked out. The reader never needs to ask which of two rooks or knights moved, since the starting square says so, and a move can be replayed on a board without studying the rest of the position.
That clarity keeps it alive in a few places. Coaches use it with beginners who lose track of where a piece came from, and engine software speaks a stripped-down version without piece letters, sending moves such as g1f3.
The cost is length and clutter. A game in long form takes noticeably more writing, which is why books and databases prefer the short form and add a departure file or rank only when two pieces could reach the same square.
Tip: when you replay an old game written in long form, say the short form aloud for each move. Converting Ng1-f3 to Nf3 and back without effort is a small but useful notation skill.
A neighboring idea is 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.
Once "Long algebraic notation" is familiar, the next question is what to work on at your rating, which the improvement plans by rating band answer with game and puzzle data.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.8, read Oct 21, 2026.
- FIDE Laws of Chess (taking effect from 1 January 2023), Appendix C.13, read Oct 21, 2026.
Want to spot this in your own games?
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