How do you describe a move in chess?

Question

E.g. is a move described simply as a letter and number - Queen E5 or is there a more appropriate way?

Answer 1

The squares are marked out as a grid reference to identify the moves 1st move is often P to K4, Pawn to king 4

Answer 2

Just for completeness sake, and to add to Chris's answer, which adequately describes the algebraic notation, the other type of notation available, but less commonly used today is the descriptive notation.

So e4 would be P - K4, and e5 by black would also be P - K4. Notations are written in the individual player's perspective, and hence it can get quite confusing.

So a typical opening in algebraic notation can go:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Bxc6 bxc6

In descriptive notation, it would look something like

1. P-K4 P-K4
2. Kt-KB3 Kt-QB3
3. B-QN5 P-QR3
4. B-QR4 Kt-KB3
5. 0-0 B-K2
6. BxKt PxB

Cheers

Answer 3

There are two commonly used ways to describe a move. In both methods, a letter and number are used to designate each square on the board, with letters a-h denoting files (a being the queen's rook file), and 1-8 denoting ranks (1 being White's back row).

One is to name the starting and ending squares; for instance, if White begins the game by moving his King's pawn two squares, this would be shown as e2-e4.

The other is to name the piece moved and the square it's moved to. You use the initial letter of the piece (except that you use N for Knight, so as not to confuse it with the King), except for pawn moves, which carry no letter. For instance, if on White's second turn, he moves his king's bishop three squares along the diagonal opened up by the pawn move shown earlier, this would be shown as Bc4. Note that depending on board position, it may be possible for two pieces of the same type to occupy the square named, in which case you identify the starting square in parentheses. For instance, if both Rooks could legally occupy f1, the move might look like R(h1)f1.

In both methods, captures are denoted by an x, such as e4xd5, or Qxc4. If a pawn makes a capture in the second method, you identify its file, such as exd5.

If a move gives check, this is indicated by a +; for instance, Bb5+.

Castling is shown by a set of zeroes equal to the number of spaces between the King and Rook. 0-0 would represent King's side castling, 0-0-0 would be Queen's side.

If a pawn is promoted, you name the initial of the piece it becomes in parentheses after the move, such as h7-h8(Q).

Answer 4

It is described simply as the letter and number. You have letters that run along the board and numbers at the bottom of the board. The piece then moves to the desired spot as long as the piece can move there taking into consideration its rules of movement.

Answer 5

Chess notation is actually a bit more complicated than that.

Say the knight captured the queen on E5. You would say: Ne5xQ
N=Knight
e5=The destination square
xQ=Captured the queen

Answer 6

Just use the letters and numbers of the squares...eg b2-b4...b1-a3. Hope this helps

Answer 7

First you say something like rook to king's pawn.

Answer 8

Chris's answer is an excellent summation.

Answer 9

Verrrrryyyyyy slowwwwly !!!!!