I N   M E M O R I A M
                   Bruce Moon (b.  d. Jan 5, 1997)

            a highly respected participant of the CHESS echo
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Area : CHESS
Date : Mar 03 '95, 05:37                                                       
From : Bruce Moon                                                1:356/4
Subj : Algebraic Notation                                                    
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First of all, the FILES (vertical rows of squares) are  lettered
"a"-"h" (see
diagram); and the RANKS (horizontal rows  of squares) are numbered
"1"-"8"
(see diagram).  [NOTE: Chess diagrams are usually oriented with White at the
bottom and Black at the top.  Also, for purposes of this diagram and similar
ASCII constructions, White pieces are represented by uppercase letters, Black
by lowercase.]


                   8:  r  n  b  q  k  b  n  r
                R  7:  p  p  p  p  p  p  p  p
                A  6:  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
                N  5:  -  j  -  -  -  -  -  -
                K  4:  -  -  -  z  -  -  -  -
                S  3:  -  -  -  -  -  -  -  -
                   2:  P  P  P  P  P  P  P  P
                   1:  R  N  B  Q  K  B  N  R
                    --------------------------
                       a  b  c  d  e  f  g  h

                          F  I  L  E  S


This gives each square a unique name, since each square is located on exactly
one file-rank intersection.  In referring to specific squares, the file is
given first, then the rank.  In the diagram, the square marked with a
"j" is
called "b5", and "z" is named "d4".

In describing moves, the pieces are reduced to their initial letters, with
two exceptions.  Knights are to "N" (since "K" already
stands for "King"),
and Pawns are not designated with a letter at all (I'll clarify that in a
moment).

In general, each move is represented by the initial of the piece moving
followed by the square it lands on, such as "Nf6",
"Bc4", "Rd1", etc.  Pawn
moves are indicated by the square they move to, such as "e4",
"c6", "f4", etc.

Captures are indicated by inserting an "x" between the piece and the
end-square: "Bxc6", "Kxd8", "Nxe5", etc. 
Pawn captures include the starting
file: "exd5", "bxc6", "cxd4", etc.

A plus mark "+" is used for "check", and "++"
signifies "checkmate".  For
castling, "0-0" (Kingside) and "0-0-0" (Queenside) are
used; and for en
passant, "e.p." is added after the move ("dxc6 e.p.",
for example).  For Pawn
promotion, an equal sign "=" and the letter of the piece promoted
to are added
to the move: "g8=Q", bxa1=N, etc.

Ambiguity occurs when two pieces of the same color and type are able to move
to the same square.  This can happen as early as the third move.  Let's say
White's first move was 1 d4 and his second was 2 Nf3.  At this point either
White Knight could move to d2, so writing "Nd2" is ambiguous. 
The situation
is clarified by inserting either the rank or the file the moving piece starts
on: 3 Nbd2 or 3 Nfd2.  (NOTE: By convention, the file designation is used to
resolve ambiguities, unless the pieces in question are on the same file to
start with, in which case, the rank gets the nod.)

As for the use of question marks (?) and exclamation points (!) -- these are
chess writers' diacritical markings.  "?" means a bad move, and
"!" means a
good or strong move.  You will also see "??" (horrendous move)
and "!!"
(tremendous move).

What writers are often inconsistent on are the meanings of "?!"
and "!?".
(Actually, the meanings are fairly well agreed upon -- it's which meaning
goes with which symbol wherein the problem lies!).  In my own chess writing
(for the local chess club), "?!" indicates an
"inexactitude", a move for which
there was probably a superior alternative, but the move actually made is not
quite bad enough to be called a "blunder".  Conversely,
"!?" is an "inter-
esting" move, and is used to indicate a move which is not quite a
"strong"
move, often mixed with a bit of uncertainty or risk.

That's all there is to Standard Algebraic Notation -- except for practice,
practice, practice!
 
Later,
Bruce Moon

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