When annotating games I sometimes use some chess annotation symbols. The table below gives an overview of these symbols. These symbols are placed at the end of a move.
| To indicate the move itself |
| Symbol |
Meaning |
| # |
Checkmate |
| + |
Check |
| ++ |
Double check. Sometimes this symbol is used to indicate checkmate, but I will only use it to indicate that two pieces are checkmating the king at the same time. |
| |
|
| To indicate the quality of the move |
| ! |
A good move. I only use this symbol for non trivial moves. |
| !! |
An excellent move, even more difficult to see. |
| ? |
A bad move |
| ?? |
A blunder, a very bad move |
| !? |
An interesting move, probably it will be good |
| ?! |
A dubious move, probably to risky |
| |
|
| To indicate the current postion |
| = |
Equal |
| += |
Evaluating the position as a small advantage for White. White stands slightly better |
| =+ |
A small advantage for Black |
| +/- |
A clear advantage for White |
| -/+ |
A clear advantage for Black |
| +- |
A winning advantage for White |
| -+ |
A winning advantage for Black |
| ? |
Unclear |
Next chess lesson: Minor promotion.
2 Responses to “Chess notation symbols”
DEAR SIRS. WHAT IS MEANT BY THE CHESS NOTATION RHG8? THANKS
It’s actually Rhg8 and it means that the Rook on the h-file (the column at the right side of the board) moves to g8. The additional letter h is needed because more than one Rook was able to move to this target square.
| 