Chess notation records moves so you can replay a game without a video or screenshot. In standard algebraic notation, a move usually identifies the piece and its destination: Nf3 means a knight moves to f3. Pawns do not use a piece letter, so e4 means a pawn moves to e4.
Find the destination square
Files run from a to h and ranks from 1 to 8. From White’s side, a1 is the lower-left corner and h1 the lower-right. Board coordinates stay attached to their squares when you flip the display.
The destination is the last square named in the move before any promotion or check marker. In Bxe6+, a bishop captures on e6 and gives check.
Read the common symbols
| Symbol | Meaning | Example |
| --- | --- | --- |
| K, Q, R, B, N | King, queen, rook, bishop, knight | Nf3 |
| No piece letter | Pawn move | e4 |
| x | Capture | Bxc4 |
| + | Check | Bb5+ |
| # | Checkmate | Qh4# |
| O-O | Kingside castling | O-O |
| O-O-O | Queenside castling | O-O-O |
| =Q | Promotion to a queen | e8=Q |
A pawn capture includes its original file: exd5 means the e-pawn captures a piece on d5. A knight uses N because K is reserved for the king. The FIDE Laws of Chess, Appendix C describe algebraic notation; PGN files commonly use these English piece letters and symbols.
Replay a short example
This deliberately short legal game illustrates the notation. It is a study example, not a recommended opening for White:
[Event "Notation example"]
[Result "0-1"]
1. f3 e5 2. g4 Qh4# 0-1
Read the first number as a full move: White plays f3 and Black answers e5. On move two, White plays g4 and Black’s queen moves to h4 with checkmate. The result 0-1 means Black wins. 1-0 means White wins, 1/2-1/2 is a draw, and * means the result is unspecified or the game is unfinished.
Paste the example into the analysis board, then select each move. The sequence makes the notation concrete: f3 weakens the diagonal toward White’s king, and g4 allows the queen’s checking route.
When two pieces can reach the same square
If two legal knight moves could both be written Nd2, the notation must identify which knight moved. Nbd2 means the knight from the b-file. Sometimes the rank, or both file and rank, is required. Do not add a starting square merely because another piece looks nearby: the ambiguity depends on legal moves.
Promotion also needs a choice. A pawn reaching the last rank can become a queen, rook, bishop or knight. a8=N is a promotion to a knight, which can matter when a queen promotion would stalemate.
Common import problems
Check that the game starts from the standard position unless its PGN supplies a starting FEN. Confirm that the moves alternate correctly, and distinguish the letter O in castling from a zero. If a move is rejected, return to the preceding position rather than editing the destination until it looks plausible.
A move list is not the same as a board snapshot. Use FEN for one position and PGN for a game, then replay your notation to see whether it describes the moves you intended.