Forsyth-Edwards Notation
For a full description of what Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) is, please
see wikipedia.
Diagrams in some chapters are accompanied by a
(shortened) FEN for your convenience. You may cut-and-paste this FEN to quickly
load the position into your chess program off-line or on-line at FICS as
described in "Playing On-Line."
Move Marks
I use the following marks written at the end of some moves.
| Mark |
Description |
| * |
The best or tied for best move available. Used only in summarized
opening analysis. |
| ! |
An excellent move |
| ?? |
A move that turns a won position into a drawn or lost position, or
a move that turns a drawn position into a lost position. Used only when
specific forcing analysis is known to prove it. |
| ? |
A bad move for which ?? is not appropriate. |
| ?! |
Probably a bad move. Further analysis required to prove it. |
| !? |
A risky move. |
| + |
Check. |
| # |
Checkmate. |
| ## |
Win by Explosion. |
End of Line Marks
I use the following marks at the end of a line of analysis:
| Mark |
Description |
| [=] |
Both sides have equal chances to win. |
|
| [==] |
Neither side has chances to win. The position is drawn. |
| [+=] |
White has a slight edge. |
| [+-] |
White has a superior (probably winning) position |
| [=+] |
Black has a slight edge. |
| [-+] |
Black has a superior (probably winning) position |
| [1-0] |
White has a forced win. |
| [0-1] |
Black has a forced win. |
| [drw] |
The game has ended in a draw. |
| [...] |
More analysis needed to evaluate position. |
Other Marks
| Mark |
Description |
| <<Opening Name>> |
My official name for an opening |
| <handle> |
I'm attributing this move (or sequence of moves) to this person. |
| {comments} |
in-line comments |
| (alternate move) |
Alternate move. Everything following works the same. |
Many of these symbols are only used in chapters containing
summarized opening analysis. Elsewhere I am sometimes more informal.
|