Notation: reading and writing games

Algebraic notation = international chess language: files a-h left, ranks 1-8 bottom. Move = piece + square: Nf3 (knight f3), Bb5 (bishop b5). No letter = pawn: e4, d5. Capture: exd5. Check: +, mate: #. Castling: 0-0 (short), 0-0-0 (long). Reading books/YouTube = reading master games = notation required. German books write S, L, T, D, K.

• ●Record your games — error analysis = fastest growth
• ●“?!” dubious, “?” mistake, “!” strong, “!!” brilliant — annotation code
• ●Pawn reaches the edge = queen: e8=Q — note capital letter