I have recently come back to the game of chess after 30 years. I have noticed that chess notation these days differs from back then. What happened?

I think it's easier the way it's done now. I think this method has always existed it's just more popular now.

It's much faster and easier to read I think once you get used to it... if by the old method you mean like e2-e4 instead of simply e4?

I'm assuming by the old method you mean Descriptive Notation (1.P-K4  P-K4), and the now the standard is Algebraic Notation (1.e4 e5).  Algebraic is much simpler, as the coordinates are the same for both black and white.  It's also shorter to say "Knight to f3" (Nf3) than "Knight to kings bishop 3"(N-KB3)

For more info on algebraic notation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebraic_chess_notation

 

For more info on descriptive notation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_chess_notation 

o0obruceleeo0o wrote:

For more info on algebraic notation: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algebraic_chess_notation

 

For more info on descriptive notation:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Descriptive_chess_notation 

---

 or you can read our great article on the topic! :)

http://www.chess.com/article/view/chess-notation---the-language-of-chess 

 

Ooooh, cool erik!  Very comprehensive