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Algebraic notation

Algebraic notation is the standard language for recording chess moves. Files are labelled a to h and ranks 1 to 8, so every square has a name; a move is the piece letter plus its destination, as in Nf3. Captures add an x (Bxc6), checks a plus sign and checkmate a hash; pawns carry no letter, so e4 is simply pawn to e4. Every game on this site, every book and every database speaks this notation.

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Squares are named file+rank: the knight on g1 to f3 is written Nf3, a capture there would be Nxf3.

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