Notation is the system for recording chess moves in a standard written form. FIDE officially uses algebraic notation.

Algebraic Notation

• Columns: a-h (left to right)
• Ranks: 1-8 (starting from White's side)
• Piece abbreviations: K=King, Q=Queen, R=Rook, B=Bishop, N=Knight
• Special symbols: x=capture, +=check, #=checkmate, O-O=kingside castling, O-O-O=queenside castling