King
Ke2 means the king moves to e2.
Learn to read the language of chess
Chess Notation for Beginners
Algebraic notation is a compact way to record chess moves. Once moves such as e4, Nf3, exd5, and 0-0 make sense, it becomes much easier to read games, opening lines, and instructional material.
What is algebraic chess notation?
FIDE uses the algebraic system as the standard way to record chess games. Every square has a unique address made from a file letter and a rank number, such as e4, f7, or a1.
English piece abbreviations are K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight. Pawns are written without a piece letter.
How to read chessboard coordinates
a–hThe files are labeled with lowercase letters from a through h.
1–8The ranks are numbered from 1 through 8 from White's side.
e4A letter plus a number identifies one exact square.
h8Each of the 64 squares has one unique coordinate.
Chess piece symbols
Queen
Qh5 means the queen moves to h5.
Rook
Rd1 means the rook moves to d1.
Bishop
Bc4 means the bishop moves to c4.
Knight
Nf3 means the knight moves to f3. N is used because K already represents the king.
Pawn — no letter
e4 means a pawn moves to e4. The letter P is not written.
How is a normal move written?
For a piece, write its letter followed by the destination square: Nf3, Bb5, Qe2. For a pawn, write only the destination square: e4, d5, h3.
So 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 means White's pawn moves to e4, Black's pawn to e5, White's knight to f3, and Black's knight to c6.
Common chess notation symbols
Capture
Qxd5 means the queen captures on d5. A pawn capture includes its starting file: exd5.
Check
Qh5+ means the move to h5 gives check.
Checkmate
Qxf7# means the queen captures on f7 and the position is checkmate.
Kingside castling
Castling toward the h-file rook is written 0-0.
Queenside castling
Castling toward the a-file rook is written 0-0-0.
Pawn promotion
FIDE Appendix C writes the pawn move followed by the new piece, for example e8Q. In PGN/SAN and many online interfaces you will often see e8=Q. Promotion to R, B, or N is also possible.
What if two identical pieces can move to the same square?
The notation adds enough information to identify which piece moves. If two knights can reach f3, a move may be written Ndf3 or N5f3, using the starting file or rank to remove ambiguity.
A short game notation example
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Nf6 4. 0-0
This shows four White moves and three Black replies: the central pawns advance, knights and a bishop develop, and White castles kingside.
Once this kind of notation feels natural, it becomes much easier to study chess openings for beginners and review your own games.
Chess notation: common questions
Why is a knight written as N instead of K?
K is already used for king, so English algebraic notation uses N for knight.
Why does a pawn have no letter?
In algebraic notation a pawn move is recognized by the absence of a piece letter: e4, d5, h6.
How do you write a pawn capture?
Write the pawn's starting file, then x, then the destination square: for example, exd5.
How are check and checkmate marked?
Add + for check and # (or in some notation systems ++) for checkmate.