Chess Notation Reading
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Explain it to me like I'm 5
Mar 27, 2025
0
#3
The pieces each have a letter. In order from a-e file: R, N, B, Q, K.
Pawns have no letter.
You say piece then square.
So, e4 is pawn moves to e4, Nf3 means knight moves to f3
Pawns have no letter.
You say piece then square.
So, e4 is pawn moves to e4, Nf3 means knight moves to f3
Mar 27, 2025
0
#4
An x between piece and square means capture. Nxe5 means night captures a piece on e5.
A + at the end means check.
A # at the end means checkmate.
Double checks have no special notation.
A + at the end means check.
A # at the end means checkmate.
Double checks have no special notation.
Mar 27, 2025
0
#5
If there are multiple of the same piece that can move to the square, say the file after the piece.
If there is a rook on a1 and h1, and you move the one on a1 to g1, that’s Rag1 (rook on a file to g1)
If there are multiple on that rank that can move to that square, say the rank instead. (Rooks on a1 and a8, a1 rook moves to a7 would be/ R1a7)
If there are some of the same piece on the same rank and file, then say both.
(Queens on e4, d4, and d5. Move the one on d4 to e5, which is Qd4e5)
If there is a rook on a1 and h1, and you move the one on a1 to g1, that’s Rag1 (rook on a file to g1)
If there are multiple on that rank that can move to that square, say the rank instead. (Rooks on a1 and a8, a1 rook moves to a7 would be/ R1a7)
If there are some of the same piece on the same rank and file, then say both.
(Queens on e4, d4, and d5. Move the one on d4 to e5, which is Qd4e5)
Mar 27, 2025
0
#6
O-O means castles kingside
O-O-O means castles queenside.
When a pawn captures, use its file as its name. So, e4 pawn takes the pieceis on d5 is exd5.
O-O-O means castles queenside.
When a pawn captures, use its file as its name. So, e4 pawn takes the pieceis on d5 is exd5.
Mar 28, 2025
0
#7
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Each piece has a letter:
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K = King
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Q = Queen
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R = Rook
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B = Bishop
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N = Knight (we use "N" because "K" is for the king)
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Pawns don’t get a letter (they’re just written by the square they move to).
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The board has a map:
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The files (columns) go a → h (left to right).
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The ranks (rows) go 1 → 8 (bottom to top).
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So, "e4" means a pawn moved to the square e4.
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How moves are written:
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Pawn move: Just write the square (e.g.,
e4). -
Knight move:
Nf3(Knight moves to f3). -
Captures: Use
x(e.g.,Bxe5means "Bishop takes the piece on e5"). -
Check: Use
+(e.g.,Qh5+means "Queen moves to h5 and gives check"). -
Checkmate: Use
#(e.g.,Qh5#means "Checkmate!").
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