How do you read a chess move?
Read one move at a time
Try the Knight below. Choose g1–f3 and read Nf3, then reset. This move name is derived from the legal position, not guessed from the destination.
Scroll the table sideways to compare all columns.
| Symbol or move | Meaning | Example detail |
|---|---|---|
| K, Q, R, B, N | King, Queen, Rook, Bishop, Knight | Pawns have no initial letter |
| e4 | Pawn reaches e4 | The file is lowercase |
| Nxf3 / exd6 | Capture on f3 / pawn capture on d6 | A pawn capture includes its starting file |
| Ngf3 / R1e2 | Origin file / origin rank distinguishes the mover | Only legal alternatives create ambiguity |
| + / # | Check / checkmate | The board position determines the suffix |
| O-O / O-O-O | Kingside / queenside castling in SAN | Appendix C prints zeros: 0-0 / 0-0-0 |
| a8=Q | Promotion to Queen in SAN | Appendix C illustrates a8Q without the equals sign |
| (=) | Draw offered | Both players record it; it does not mean agreement |
Files a–h and ranks 1–8 always refer to the same squares, regardless of whose view is shown. Black’s first move remains move 1, written after an ellipsis when displayed by itself.
Make a move and read its notation
Select the highlighted piece, then a marked square to try a move.
Read one move number as a pair of turns
The sequence below is 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. d4 d5. White and Black each make a move under number 1, then each under number 2. When a Black move is shown by itself, 1… Nf6 makes the side clear. Turning the board around does not rename f3 or any other square.
If you lose your place, return to the last complete pair you can identify. Read whose turn comes next before trying to interpret the next symbol. The board position supplies information that notation alone can leave implicit, especially for captures and disambiguation.
Which Knight?
In this position both the e1 and g1 Knights can legally reach f3. The chosen move is Ngf3: N for Knight, g for the origin file, f3 for the destination. Appendix C.10 describes the file/rank distinction. A pinned alternative that cannot legally move does not require SAN disambiguation.
Read special moves without learning a second alphabet
The destination is still central. exd6 says that the e-file pawn captures on d6; for en passant the removed pawn is on d5. Appendix C.9.3 allows an added “e.p.” indication. Try the en-passant sequence to connect the notation to the disappearing pawn.
In SAN, a8=Q# combines destination, promotion choice and checkmate. Appendix C illustrates promotion without the equals sign, while SAN uses it. Castling uses O-O or O-O-O in SAN; Appendix C prints zeros. These notation conventions do not change the move itself. The promotion exercise lets you compare the four choices.
Appendix C permits local-language piece abbreviations and some optional marks. A legal tournament scoresheet need not reproduce every punctuation choice of a PGN display.
Recording during a tournament
Record both players’ moves clearly, in order, on the prescribed paper or certified electronic scoresheet. You may reply before writing the opponent’s move, but must record your own previous move before making another. Keep the scoresheet visible to the arbiter. Articles 8.1–8.2.
Do not write a move in advance, except the intended move for a claim under 9.2/9.3 or an adjournment under Guidelines I.1.1. A scoresheet is for moves, clock times, draw offers, claim matters and other relevant data, not outside analysis.
With less than five minutes in the period and less than 30 seconds added per move, 8.4 removes the recording duty for the rest of that period. Articles 8.5–8.6 govern catching up or reconstructing the record. Rapid A.2 and blitz B.3 have a separate recording exemption.
FAQ
Must I use English piece letters on a FIDE scoresheet?
No. Appendix C permits the customary abbreviation in your language. These interactive replays consistently use English-letter SAN so that moves can be read across locales.
Does (=) mean that the game is drawn?
No. It records an offer. Acceptance, a valid claim or another rule must actually end the game.
Why is the knight N rather than K in SAN?
English-letter SAN uses K for the king and N for the knight so that the two pieces are distinguishable. Local tournament notation can use other conventional abbreviations under Appendix C; the interactive replays here use the same SAN notation in every language.
Related rules
Sources and scope
FIDE Laws of Chess · 2023 · Article 8; Appendix C.
Effective 1 January 2023. These guides explain over-the-board play. The official text and any event regulations permitted by it govern competition; teaching positions are not tournament records.