Notation

What does algebraic notation (AN) mean in chess?

  • Notation
  • Review
  • Records

Algebraic notation is the standard written language for chess moves. It lets you record, replay, search, and analyze games accurately.

What to look for on the board

  • Which piece moved?
  • What square did it move to?
  • Was there capture, check, mate, or promotion?

Algebraic notation (AN) FAQ

What does algebraic notation (AN) mean in chess?

Algebraic notation is the standard written language for chess moves. It lets you record, replay, search, and analyze games accurately.

Algebraic notation (AN): how do you spot it on the board?

Look for: Which piece moved?; What square did it move to?; Was there capture, check, mate, or promotion?.

Put your own games under review

Knowing the vocabulary is the easy part. Chessiro's free chess game review runs Stockfish 19 over your Chess.com and Lichess games, marks the moves that cost you, and explains each one in plain English. Or paste any game into the PGN analyzer, including famous games from the classic games collection.

Free game review

Find the moment each of your games turned

Chessiro reviews your games with an AI coach that names the concept behind every mistake, then drills you on the exact positions where it happened until you stop repeating them.