Initiative annotation symbol

Having the initiative means being able to pose threats or decisions that force the opponent to react. The side with the initiative usually sets the game's pace even without extra material or a permanent advantage.

In Portable Game Notation (PGN), the text format for games, $36 means White has the initiative and $37 means Black does. $38 and $39 mark a lasting initiative for White or Black. Common renderings are ↑, ↓, ⇑, and ⇓. Direction identifies the side, while the double arrow conveys persistence; neither traces a piece's route.

Initiative may arise from a development lead, threats against the king, or highly active pieces, but it is not identical to those causes. It also differs from counterplay. Counterplay often describes activity used to answer pressure, while initiative describes who is currently posing the questions.