Chess notation: How to record chess moves

Chess players record every move they make during a game. The moves are written down using a special system known as chess notation. It allows players to preserve a game for later analysis, review mistakes, and prepare for future tournaments.

In this article, we will explore the basic principles of chess notation and take a look at its history.

History of chess notation

The first attempts to record chess games date back several centuries. In the early 17th century, the German duke Augustus the Younger described one of the earliest known systems for systematically recording chess moves. At that time, games were written out in words, making the notation lengthy and difficult to read.

Over time, chess players and theorists searched for more compact methods of recording games. In the 18th century, the German author and translator Moses Hirschel helped popularize a system of piece and square notation through his chess publications. Gradually, this style of recording became familiar to players.

In the 19th century, the growth of chess literature and the increasing number of tournaments led to the widespread adoption of algebraic notation, which remains the foundation of modern chess notation today.

Later, in 1883, Scottish chess player David Forsyth introduced a method for recording board positions. More than a century later, programmer Steven J. Edwards expanded this concept for computer processing of chess data. These developments became important milestones on the road to digital chess.

Basic principles of chess notation

During a game, each move is recorded using the abbreviation of the piece and the square to which it moves.

The standard English abbreviations are:

• K — King.
• Q — Queen.
• R — Rook.
• B — Bishop.
• N — Knight.

Pawns do not have a letter designation. Only the destination square is recorded.

Each square on the chessboard is identified by a file (letter) and a rank (number). For example:

• d3 — the square at the intersection of file d and rank 3;
• Ng4 — a knight on g4;
• Bf6 — a bishop on f6.

Notation also records special actions and events during the game. Common symbols include:

• x — capture.
• O-O — kingside castling.
• O-O-O — queenside castling.
• + — check.
• ++ — double check.
• # — checkmate.

For example:

• Nxe5 — the knight captures a piece on e5;
• Qh7+ — the queen gives check;
• Rd8# — the rook delivers checkmate.

Long and short notation

There are several ways to record chess moves.

In long algebraic notation, both the starting square and the destination square are recorded.

For example: Ng1-f3.

In short algebraic notation, only the destination square is written.

For example: Nf3.

Today, short algebraic notation is the most widely used format in chess literature, software, and game databases.

Age of digital formats

With the development of computers, chess notation began to be stored electronically. This led to the creation of the PGN (Portable Game Notation) format, a universal standard for recording chess games.

PGN files can store:

• The moves of a game.
• Information about the players.
• The date and location of a tournament.
• Comments and analysis variations.

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Digital notation has significantly simplified the work of arbiters, coaches, and players. Games can now be shared instantly, published in databases, and analyzed with chess engines. 

Technological breakthrough with idChess 

The next stage in the evolution of chess notation is automatic move recognition technology.

With the idChess app, a regular smartphone is enough to digitize a game played on a physical chessboard. Artificial intelligence recognizes the positions of the pieces and automatically generates digital notation.

After an idChess tournament is completed, all games can be downloaded in PGN format.

Two download options are available:

• Download the entire tournament as a single archiveю
• Download an individual game played by a specific participant.

The resulting PGN file can then be imported into the idChess mobile app. Once imported, the game appears in the list of saved games, where it can be viewed, analyzed, and replayed move by move. This makes it easy to revisit past games, review mistakes, and share games with coaches, teammates, or friends.

The history of chess notation reflects the evolution of both chess and technology. From lengthy written descriptions and paper score sheets, it has progressed to digital formats and automatic move recognition.

Modern technologies make recording games faster, more convenient, and more accessible. As a result, players can focus more on learning and improving their chess, while tournament organizers can preserve and publish games almost immediately after an event concludes.