Notation and standards
Notation systems, symbols, formats, and technical protocols.
126 terms
Notation systems
20- Algebraic notationA system for recording each move with the piece, destination square, and any necessary symbols.Beginner
- Standard Algebraic NotationA compact system that records a legal move with the piece, destination square, and any information needed to remove ambiguity.Beginner
- Long Algebraic NotationA form of algebraic notation that normally includes both the origin square and destination square of every move.Beginner
- Coordinate notationA format that writes the origin square first and the destination square second, normally without naming the piece.Beginner
- Descriptive notationA historical system that names files after the starting pieces and counts ranks from each player's own side.Beginner
- Figurine Algebraic NotationA SAN variant that replaces piece letters with small graphical symbols for the king, queen, rook, bishop, and knight.Beginner
- ICCF numeric notationA four-digit code that represents a move through numeric origin and destination square codes.Beginner
- Move numberThe number that groups one White move and Black's reply within the written record of a game.Beginner
- PlyA ply is one move by one side, rather than the pair formed by White's move and Black's reply.Beginner
- VariationA variation is a legal sequence of moves that explores an alternative from a particular position.Beginner
- Recursive Annotation VariationA Recursive Annotation Variation is a parenthesized alternative line that may contain further nested variations.Intermediate
- Main lineThe main line is the central sequence followed continuously while alternatives appear as branches.Beginner
- EllipsisIn chess notation, three periods after a move number show that the displayed move belongs to Black.Beginner
- Betza notationA compact language for describing how a piece can move, especially in chess variants.Advanced
- Braille chess notationA tactile transcription system for recording and reading chess moves, positions, and commentary in braille.Intermediate
- Extended Betza notationAn extension of Betza that can describe compound moves, intermediate conditions, and special effects for variant pieces.Expert
- Forsyth notationA compact system created to record the placement of pieces in a chess position.Intermediate
- GBR codeA numeric code summarizing the material in a position without showing where the pieces stand.Advanced
- Smith notationA move format recording origin, destination, and extra data so a game can be traversed backward.Intermediate
- UCI move notationA coordinate string used by the UCI protocol to communicate one move between a chess interface and an engine.Intermediate
Symbols and annotation
71- +The + sign is appended to a move when that move leaves the opposing king in check.Beginner
- #The # sign is appended to a move that gives checkmate and ends the game.Beginner
- xThe letter x marks a capture and appears immediately before the destination square.Beginner
- =The = sign introduces the chosen piece when a pawn reaches the last row at the opposite edge and promotes.Beginner
- O-OO-O is the standard notation for castling on the kingside.Beginner
- O-O-OO-O-O is the standard notation for castling on the queenside.Beginner
- e.p.e.p. is an optional mark identifying an en passant capture in written chess notation.Beginner
- (=)A symbol written beside a move to record that a player offered a draw.Basic
- 1-0A result marker stating that White won the game.Beginner
- 0-1A result marker stating that Black won the game.Beginner
- 1/2-1/2A result marker stating that the game ended in a draw.Beginner
- *An asterisk used in Portable Game Notation when no final result is available.Beginner
- !An annotation stating that the commentator considers a move good.Basic
- ?An annotation stating that the commentator considers a move bad or mistaken.Basic
- !!A strong praise annotation for a move considered exceptional.Basic
- ??An annotation marking a blunder or an extremely poor move.Basic
- !?An annotation for an interesting or speculative move whose quality remains uncertain.Basic
- ?!An annotation for a questionable move that is probably inferior but not necessarily disastrous.Basic
- ++An ambiguous symbol that can mean checkmate or double check under different conventions.Basic
- Check symbolThe + sign added to a move when it leaves the opposing king in check.Basic
- Checkmate symbolThe # sign added to the move that delivers checkmate and ends the game.Basic
- Capture symbolThe letter x used inside algebraic notation to show that a move captures a piece.Basic
- Promotion notationThe notation that records the new piece chosen when a pawn reaches the far edge of the board.Basic
- Castling notationThe compact notation for castling, using two groups on the kingside and three groups on the queenside.Basic
- Result notationSymbols showing whether White won, Black won, the game was drawn, or no final result is available yet.Basic
- Numeric Annotation GlyphA PGN code made of a dollar sign and number that stores a brief judgment about a move or position.Intermediate
- Annotation symbolA compact mark added to analysis to judge a move or summarize the state of a position.Intermediate
- =An evaluation symbol stating that neither side has a meaningful overall advantage in the position.Intermediate
- ±An evaluation symbol showing a clear or moderate White advantage, but not a completed win.Intermediate
- ∓An evaluation symbol showing a clear or moderate Black advantage without declaring the game finished.Intermediate
- ⩲An evaluation symbol showing a small White advantage in a position that remains close to balanced.Intermediate
- ⩱An evaluation symbol showing a small Black advantage in a position that remains close to balanced.Intermediate
- ∞An evaluation symbol for a position that is difficult to judge and offers significant resources to both sides.Intermediate
- +/-The FIDE result for an unplayed game in which White wins because Black forfeits.Intermediate
- -/+The FIDE result for an unplayed game in which Black wins because White forfeits.Intermediate
- -/-The FIDE result for an unplayed game in which both players lose by forfeit.Intermediate
- +−An evaluation symbol showing a decisive White advantage even though the game has not necessarily ended.Intermediate
- −+An evaluation symbol showing a decisive Black advantage even though the game has not necessarily ended.Intermediate
- --+An analysis symbol indicating that Black has a crushing advantage in the position.Intermediate
- +--An analysis symbol indicating that White has a crushing advantage in the position.Intermediate
- Attack annotation symbolAn annotation arrow indicates which side has an active attack in the position.Intermediate
- Better-is annotation symbolThe ⌓ sign introduces an alternative that the annotator considers better than the move or line under discussion.Intermediate
- Bishop-pair annotation symbolThe sign indicates that one side has two bishops able to operate on both square colors.Advanced
- Center annotation symbolThe ⊞ sign marks one side's advantage in controlling the central squares.Advanced
- Chess Informant symbol systemIt is an international vocabulary of signs that condenses chess comments and assessments without relying on one language.Intermediate
- Chess problem stipulation notationIt is the compact notation that states the exact task of a chess composition.Advanced
- Connected-pawns annotation symbolThe sign identifies pawns belonging to the same side on neighboring files that can operate as a unit.Advanced
- Counterplay annotation symbolOpposing arrows indicate that one side is creating active threats while answering the opponent's pressure.Advanced
- Development-advantage annotation symbolCurved arrows show that one side has activated its pieces more quickly and effectively.Advanced
- Diagonal annotation symbolThe ⇗ sign highlights a diagonal that plays an important role in the positional analysis.Advanced
- Doubled-pawns annotation symbolThe sign marks two or more pawns belonging to the same side on the same file.Advanced
- Endgame annotation symbolThe ⊥ sign indicates that a variation enters an endgame or that the analysis refers to that phase.Advanced
- File annotation symbolThe sign highlights a board file that forms an important strategic line.Advanced
- Initiative annotation symbolVertical arrows identify the side directing play by creating threats that demand replies.Advanced
- Kingside annotation symbolPointed signs mark a control advantage in the half of the board where each king begins.Advanced
- Material-compensation annotation symbolThe sign indicates that non-material advantages offset a material deficit to some degree.Advanced
- Only-move annotation symbolThe □ square marks a move the annotator considers the only reasonable choice in the position.Intermediate
- Opposite-colored-bishops annotation symbolThe sign indicates that the relevant bishops of the two sides travel on opposite square colors.Advanced
- Passed-pawn annotation symbolA glyph marking a pawn with no opposing pawns ahead on its file or either neighboring file.Advanced
- Pawn-count-advantage annotation symbolA symbol indicating that one side has more pawns than the other in the annotated position.Advanced
- Queenside annotation symbolA family of signs marking a control advantage on the part of the board called the queenside.Advanced
- Same-colored-bishops annotation symbolA glyph indicating that the relevant bishops move on squares of the same color.Advanced
- Separated-pawns annotation symbolA glyph marking friendly pawns that do not form a connected, mutually supporting unit.Advanced
- Space-advantage annotation symbolA circle indicating that one side controls more useful territory and has greater room to maneuver.Advanced
- Theoretical-novelty annotation symbolThe letter N marks a move presented as new within the known theory of an opening.Intermediate
- Time-pressure annotation symbolSigns recording that limited clock time is materially affecting a player's decisions.Advanced
- Unicode Chess Symbols blockThe Unicode range U+1FA00 to U+1FA6F for variant pieces and other specialized chess characters.Expert
- Unicode chess-piece symbolsTwelve Unicode characters represent the six classical chess pieces in white and black forms.Advanced
- Weak-point annotation symbolThe × mark identifies a vulnerable square, pawn, piece, or area that may become a target.Advanced
- With-the-idea annotation symbolThe triangle △ introduces the intention or continuation that explains the purpose of a move.Intermediate
- Zugzwang annotation symbolA glyph marking a position where the obligation to move harms the side whose turn it is.Advanced
Technical formats and protocols
35- Portable Game NotationA text format for exchanging chess games with headers, moves, comments, variations, and a result.Basic
- Forsyth-Edwards NotationA six-field text line that lets software or a person reconstruct the state of a chess position.Basic
- Extended Position DescriptionA one-line format that describes a position and can attach structured operations for chess software.Basic
- Universal Chess InterfaceA text protocol that lets a graphical interface control and query a chess engine.Intermediate
- Chess Engine Communication ProtocolA line-based text protocol used by XBoard, WinBoard, and other programs to control chess engines.Intermediate
- PolyGlot opening book formatA binary format that maps opening positions to candidate moves, weights, and learning data.
- Syzygy tablebasesPrecomputed databases that give exact outcomes and progress information for endgames with up to seven pieces.
- Gaviota tablebasesEndgame databases for up to five pieces that store exact results and distance-to-mate information.
- Nalimov tablebasesA historic family of three- to six-piece endgame databases that provides exact distance-to-mate information.
- application/vnd.chess-pgnThe registered media type identifying PGN chess-game data when systems exchange it.Advanced
- Chess Query LanguageA specialized language for describing chess patterns and finding the games or studies that contain them.Advanced
- Chess960 numbering schemeA system that consistently assigns a number from 0 to 959 to every legal Chess960 starting position.Advanced
- ChessBase CBH database formatA ChessBase file family storing a working game database across several components sharing one base name.Advanced
- ChessBase CBV archive formatA compressed ChessBase archive that gathers the components of a CBH database into one package.Advanced
- ChessBase CTG opening-book formatChessBase's native format for storing an opening book as a coordinated set of files.Advanced
- DGT Electronic Board ProtocolA message protocol that lets a computer receive positions, square changes, and clock data from a DGT electronic board.Advanced
- En passant target squareThe empty square recorded after a two-square pawn advance to represent a possible en passant capture.Advanced
- EPD operationA data unit appended to an EPD position using an operation name, optional values, and a final semicolon.Advanced
- FICS Style 12A one-line text format through which FICS sends connected programs the current state of a chess game.Advanced
- Lomonosov tablebasesPrecomputed databases that provide exact results for endgame positions containing no more than seven pieces.
- NIC-KeyA New In Chess opening-classification system using descriptive letters and numbers to identify families and variations.Advanced
- PGN comment syntaxPGN rules for inserting free text inside braces or from a semicolon to the end of a line.Intermediate
- PGN embedded commandA convention placing structured instructions in the form [%command parameter] inside a braced PGN comment.Advanced
- PGN export formatThe strict, canonical PGN profile for generating exchangeable and archival games with predictable text formatting.Advanced
- PGN import formatThe flexible PGN profile that lets a reader accept and normalize hand-prepared games or formatting variations.Advanced
- PGN movetextThe section of a PGN game containing moves, move numbers, optional annotations, and a final game-result marker.Intermediate
- PGN tag pairA descriptive PGN data unit containing a tag name and a quoted text value inside square brackets.Intermediate
- Reduced Export FormatA minimal PGN export subset for storing many games without comments, variations, or numeric annotations.Advanced
- Scid SI4 database formatScid's native database format, using coordinated files for indexes, game content, and names.Advanced
- Seven Tag RosterThe mandatory ordered set of seven PGN tags identifying a game's basic descriptive data.Intermediate
- Shredder-FENA FEN extension identifying Chess960 castling rights through letters for the eligible rooks' starting board columns.Advanced
- TimesealA historical FICS mechanism recording thinking time so network latency is not charged against a player's clock.Advanced
- Tournament Report FileA structured text format for exchanging tournament data such as players, pairings, results, and standings.Advanced
- UCI optionA configuration parameter that a chess engine advertises and a user interface can inspect or change through UCI.Advanced
- X-FENAn extension of FEN that accurately represents Chess960 positions and castling rights.Advanced