Algebraic Notation (chess) - Naming The Pieces

Naming The Pieces

Each type of piece (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter, usually the first letter in the name of the piece in whatever language is spoken by the player recording. English-speaking players use K for king, Q for queen, R for rook, B for bishop, and N for knight (since K is already used). S was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation, from the German Springer, and is still used in chess problems (where N stands for the nightrider, a popular fairy chess piece).

Different letters may be employed in other languages, for example, French players use F for bishop (from fou). In chess literature written for an international audience, the language-specific letters are replaced by universal icons for the pieces, resulting in figurine notation.

Pawns are not indicated by a letter, but rather by the absence of any letter—it is not necessary to distinguish between pawns for moves, since only one pawn can move to a given square. (Pawn captures are an exception and indicated differently; see below.)