How to Read and Write Chess

There are many different ways to read and write chess moves. The most popular method (described below) is called algebraic notation. Most modern chess books use this method.

The main idea is that every square has a name like this:

This may look very complicated but it's not! Each square on a chessboard has a first name (a letter) and a last name (a number). The letter identifies a file (column) and the number identifies a rank (row). Now, the important part is to know how to identify the pieces you are moving. You just need to use a single capital letter:

K = King Q = Queen R = Rook B = Bishop N = Knight

Note that "P" is not used. Chess players have agreed that a move without a letter — such as e4 — is understood to be a pawn move. Also note that “K” = King and NOT Knight, which is represented by “N”. Since the King is the more important piece, it gets the “K”. You are almost ready to start using chess notation. Just pay attention to the following symbols:

x	Take or Capture
0-0	King side castle
0-0-0	Queen side castle
+	Check
++ or #	Checkmate
!	Good Move
?	Bad or Questionable Move
??	Blunder (a very bad move)