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Questions tagged [notation]

Notation refers to any formalized method of recording chess games so they can be replayed and shared later. Common notations include algebraic, figurine algebraic, descriptive, and the digital PGN format. Descriptive notation is considered obsolete, though familiarity with it allows one to read older books that use it.

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How is notation done for similar pieces capturing the same piece?

When a capture can be made by two rooks, or two knights, etc., how does the notation clarify which piece makes the capture? For example, if two pawns, one at e4 and one at c4, capture a pawn at d3, the notation will say exd3 or cxd3, sure. But if…
Jason P Sallinger
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Is there a space between the move number and the move algebraic notation?

I know everyone will say that this is a stupid question, but I'm going to ask it anyway... Is there a space between the move number and the move algebraic notation? In other words, which of these is the correct notation? : 1.e4 e5 or 1. e4 e5…
Fate
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What does "bxa1=Q" mean?

I have a PGN file with the following move in it: fxe5 bxa1=Q I understand the equals sign represents a draw offer, but what does "=Q" mean?
Jack M
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How do I learn to visualize algebraic notation?

So, now based upon the recommendation from this question, How do I learn to understand the middlegame?, I bought how to Reassess Your Chess. It's pretty interesting, but I am struggling some with visualizing the analysis. I am used to some analysis,…
Jeff Davis
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How to correct reversed game notation?

My son and I are rank chess amateurs, and we wanted to play our first "real" game where we keep track of moves to analyze later. We started the game but then realized that the board was reversed (i.e. the black pieces were on rows 1 and 2). Since…
Haydentech
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Unusual chess notation

I recently bought a chess book that had unusual chess notation, such as B x KP; P X B, Q - R5 Does anyone know what type of notation this is and how to read it?
suomynonA
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What does the †† notation mean?

I am reading a book on chess openings called 51 Chess Openings for Beginners by Bruce Albertson and the author uses notation like so: ...†† Kxf7 What does the †† mean? I know a single † means check however the author doesn't (to my knowledge)…
ThaDon
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If 2 rooks are on the same Rank how to record the move if one rook moves towards the other?

Like for example a rook is on f1 and another is on a1 and I move the rook on f1 to b1 what would I write? [Title "Notation to move the f-Rook to b1?"] [FEN "4k3/8/8/8/8/8/8/R4R1K w - - 0 1"]
user36432
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What is the algebraic notation for the bishop?

Let's say that I have a pawn at b2 and a bishop at d2 and I want to capture the pawn on c3 with my bishop. The expression I used is bc3. However, it uses my pawn at b2 to capture the pawn at c3. I then tried b2c3, but it did the same. How do you use…
user26887
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Why is the algebraic notation not just two numbers?

Instead of 'a1', why not '11'? First file, first rank. Instead of 'g6', why not '76'? Seventh file, sixth rank. And so on. Why not just use two numbers to represent the square, as opposed to 1 letter and 1 number? I think the notation with the…
Clac
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How to disambiguate checking moves in descriptive notation?

Question: In general, is noting a check/checkmate sufficient to disambiguate moves in descriptive notation? If for example two of the same type of piece could move to the same square, but one giving check and one not giving check while doing so, is…
Remellion
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Does a non-copyrighted scoresheeet exist that I can print out instead of purchasing pre-printed sheets?

Please provide a download link for a scoresheet for recording moves during match-play. I could format my own but why reinvent the wheel? I am happy to provide a sample as an illustration.
mleonard
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Software with tabulated notation

I am looking for a software that allows tabulated notation. Example: Is there any software that allows notation in this way? I would prefer desktop application software. In ChessBase I can't find an option that allows you to view the notation in…
hexadecimal
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Is it common to reverse the rank and file in chess notation?

I was watching an episode of Sesame Street that had to do with playing chess. In a short film, there is a chess master that was going over some moves with school kids and I remember one of the kids said something like 7f Queen to 3g. This threw me…
xaisoft
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Is algebraic notation unique?

Can the same move be written two different ways that are both correct? In the following game when the black knight on g6 takes the pawn on e5, would it be "Ngxe5" or just "Nxe5" (since the knight on c6 can't capture due to the pin)? Or are both…
Scott
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