Algebraic Notation

Now a chessboard is eight squares by eight squares. Just like a draughts board, but higher classed. The players using the white and black pieces will be referred to respectively as White and Black.

When the players sit across from each other on the board, there is always a white square in the bottom right corner.

Now let's try this:

The board should look the same except that each of the vertical rows are named by a letter (a-h) and the horizontal ones are named by a number. This is the basis of algebraic notation.

I put pawns in b2, c4, f7, and g6. If you can look at the pawns on the board and agree with me, then go on. Each square is named by the letter of the vertical row (or file) followed by the number of the horizontal row (or rank).

a1 is always at the bottom corner as seen by White. For black, the board would look like this:

For those who are really keen, there is a full description of chess notation in the Appendices.