Chess notation looks like a secret code at first: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6. But it’s just a short way of writing down moves, and once it clicks you can read any chess book, replay famous games and share your own.
Every square has a name
The columns are called files and are lettered a to h from White’s left. The rows are ranks, numbered 1 to 8 starting from White’s side. A square’s name is its file and then its rank, so the highlighted square below is e4.
Each piece has a letter
| Piece | Letter |
|---|---|
| King | K |
| Queen | Q |
| Rook | R |
| Bishop | B |
| Knight | N (because K is taken by the king) |
| Pawn | no letter |
A move is the piece’s letter plus the square it lands on. Nf3 means “a knight moves to f3”. Pawn moves are just the square: e4 means “a pawn moves to e4”.
The symbols you’ll see
- x means a capture: Bxc6 is “bishop takes on c6”. A pawn capture names the file it came from: exd5.
- + means check, and # means checkmate.
- O-O is castling kingside, and O-O-O is castling queenside.
- =Q shows a promotion: e8=Q means the pawn reached e8 and became a queen.
- ! marks a good move, !! a brilliant one, ? a mistake and ?? a blunder.
Put it together
Moves are numbered in pairs: White’s move, then Black’s. Step through this short game and read along. It’s the famous Scholar’s Mate, which you’ll want to know so it never happens to you.
Where to practice
Every lesson in the Chessicous course uses notation, and the analysis board lets you paste a game and step through it. Reading games is one of the fastest ways to improve, so have fun with it!