--- title: "Scoresheet in chess" url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet.md" canonical_url: "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/scoresheet" last_updated: "2026-11-07" type: "reference" summary: "A scoresheet is the paper or electronic form on which each player writes down all the moves of the game in algebraic notation." related: ["https://georgelichess.com/glossary/algebraic-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/threefold-repetition.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary/category/rules-notation.md", "https://georgelichess.com/glossary.md"] --- # Scoresheet 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. A scoresheet is the paper or electronic form on which each player writes down all the moves of the game in algebraic notation. 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. In classical tournament play each player records their own moves and their opponent's, move after move, as clearly as possible. The sheet may be paper or an approved electronic version, and it must stay visible to the [arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) throughout the game. It belongs to the organizer, not to the player. You may reply to your opponent's move before writing it down, but you must record your previous move before you make another. Recording in advance is forbidden, except when you are claiming a draw. Besides moves, the sheet can carry clock times, offers of a draw marked with (=), and details of a claim. A player with less than five minutes left, and no [increment](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/increment.md) of thirty seconds or more, may stop recording until the [time control](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/time-control.md) ends. In rapid and blitz games played under the rapid rules, recording is not required. At the end, both players sign both sheets or approve the electronic record; even if the result written is wrong, it stands unless the arbiter decides otherwise. A complete sheet also proves claims such as repetition, and it is the raw material for post-game study. Keep yours and replay it with an [engine](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-engine.md) afterwards. Also called: score sheet. 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. 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. Compare it with [Long algebraic notation](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/long-algebraic-notation.md). 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. Knowing "Scoresheet" 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) - [Draw offer](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md) - [Threefold repetition](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/threefold-repetition.md) - [Arbiter](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [PGN](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.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) (Articles 8.1 to 8.3), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Articles 8.4 and 8.5), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Article 8.7), read 2026-10-21: https://handbook.fide.com/chapter/E012023 - FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023) (Appendix A.2 and B.3), 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) - [Draw offer in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/draw-offer.md) - [Threefold repetition in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/threefold-repetition.md) - [Arbiter in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/arbiter.md) - [PGN in chess](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/pgn.md) - [Chess clock](https://georgelichess.com/glossary/chess-clock.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)