Notation

Chess notation is a method for recording a chess match using symbols. For all pieces except pawns, write a simple chess move by starting with the piece's letter symbol (see below), followed by its destination (see Rank/File/Tridrant). For example, "Na4R" means "knight moves to a4 in Red's tridrant". All the pieces except pawns have their own letter-symbol (K,Q,R,N,B). A pawn move
is recorded by writing its starting location, followed by its destination, as in
"b4 c5" which means: pawn at b4 moves to c5. (When a piece moves to a location in its home tridrant, the tridrant symbol is ommitted.)

Notation Key

notation key

Which Knight or Rook Is Moving or Capturing?

When both of a player's rooks or knights can move to the same location, identify which rook or knight is moving by following the letter-symbol of the moving piece with a foreslash "/" followed by its location, as in "R/c4B c4R" which means: rook at c4 in Black's tridrant moves to c4 in Red's tridrant.
(See below for more examples.)




Noting a Pawn Promotion

To note a pawn promotion, simply write the letter-symbol of the piece it promotes to at the end of the notation. (See below.)




Recording a Match

Below is a score sheet recording four moves from a match between Paulo, Francesca and Giaciotto.




The four moves noted in the scoresheet above are illustrated below. The notation begins with White's 22nd move, followed by Black's 22nd move, then Red's. The notation ends with White's 23rd move.


drawing showing of the last four moves of the match between Paulo, Francesca and Giaciotto

Nc4: White moves a knight which was under threat by both opponents.
Bd3W#p: Black tentatively checkmates White by moving the black bishop to d3W where it threatens the white king. (Red does not want Black to checkmate White.) Qxd2W: Red moves the queen to d2W, captures the white bishop, and uncheckmates White by unblocking an escape route for the white king.
Ka2: White moves the king out of check.