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Figurine Algebraic Notation

Also known as: FAN, figurine notation

A SAN variant that replaces piece letters with small graphical symbols for the king, queen, rook, bishop, and knight.

This page is temporarily shown in English. Complete localization will be added in a later stage.

Explanation

Figurine Algebraic Notation, abbreviated FAN, uses a picture of each piece instead of its initial. Thus ♘f3 expresses the same move as Nf3, and ♗xe6+ expresses the same move as Bxe6+. Coordinates, captures, and suffixes follow the rules of .

Pawn moves still have no piece symbol, so e4 remains e4. The main advantage is that a reader does not need to know whether a language labels the knight N, C, or another letter. Figurines are therefore common in books, magazines, and interfaces for international audiences.

The Portable Game Notation (PGN) specification, a text format for storing games, describes FAN as a visual alternative to SAN and states that the two are otherwise identical. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) also recommends figurines for pieces in printed periodicals. FAN is still move text: it is not a diagram of the and does not show every piece in a position by itself.

Usage and context

The exact appearance depends on the font or interface, but each symbol must identify the piece type clearly.

Common confusions

Letter-based SAN

FAN and SAN encode the same information. The difference is visual: FAN shows a figurine where SAN shows a piece letter.

View term
Position diagram

A FAN sequence records moves one after another. A diagram represents every piece in one position at a particular moment.

Sources

  1. 1.FIDE Laws of Chess taking effect from 1 January 2023, FIDE
  2. 2.Standard: Portable Game Notation Specification and Implementation Guide, rec.games.chess community; coordinated by Steven J. Edwards

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