If you are new to the game of chess, there can be quite a bit that you need to learn.
Chess players have some unique habits, and learning what they do and how they do it can certainly help you get better at Chess.
Many people assume that Chess and Checkers are similar and simply use different pieces and a few different moves.
The truth is that these two games are actually quite different.
If you are trying to learn the game of chess, you will have to spend quite a bit of time mastering it.
In fact, some people will play Chess their entire life but never fully master or be able to compete against great players.
One thing that you will notice chess players do is to write down all of their moves.
This seems time-consuming and maybe even ineffective to the outsider’s eye.
However, great chess players have several reasons for writing their moves down.
Let’s take a look at some of the most important.
Why Do Chess Players Record Their Moves?
Chess players write down their moves in order to track the game and adhere to FIDE competition rules, in particular Article 8.1.1.
Although some people play a friendly game of chess that may not require a scoresheet, it is a requirement for them to write down the moves in any kind of competition.
Chess players record each move to help ensure that there is no cheating, and they have a record of the game.
When you have a written record of the moves, it can help ensure a clean game, increasingly important with recent chess cheating scandals.
If any disagreements come up, players can look back at their records to resolve the issue fairly.
Each player records the move of both players on a score sheet, most commonly using the Algebraic Notation, by denoting the original position of the piece moved as well as its new position.
The scoresheet is given to each player so that they can accurately record the moves for both the black and the white pieces.
The board is set up in a way that there are numbers along one axis and then letters along another.
When the moves are recorded, the piece is written down and the space it was moved to.
It is unnecessary to write down where the piece was moved from, as this can be determined by going further back in the scoresheet.
Both players will put down each of their moves on the sheet.
At the end of the game, the two scoresheets are compared, and then they are signed and turned over to the judge of the tournament.
This is very similar to how a golf tournament is played, with each player scoring the card and then signing it to turn it in.
If there are mistakes on the scoresheet, there can be issues with the final winner of the match.
Those who play competitive chess will quickly learn that keeping the scoresheet is a very important skill and one that must be closely followed in order to succeed.
Do I Need to Record My Chess Moves?
The International Chess Federation (FIDE), the most influential chess organization, requires all players to record their moves or face disqualification, and games held by other professional chess associations have the same requirements.
Anyone interested in playing chess professionally must learn how to record the movements in a chess game according to the current standards.
Casual games do not require record-keeping, but many amateur players still record their moves anyway for various reasons.
Aside from the fact that the scoresheet must be filled out as per the rules of the game, there are several other reasons that chess scoresheets are used.
Here are a few of the most important.
Other Benefits Of Recording Moves In Chess
In addition to following the rules of the game, there are some other reasons writing down the moves in a chess match is important.
This record is something that you will always have of the game and the way in which it was played.
Helps Prove A Draw
Many people think that chess matches simply have a winner and a loser.
This is not the case.
The chess match can also have a draw, but the draw must be approved and accepted by the arbiter of the chess match.
Each draw has a few different ways to record it and some paths that lead to the draw.
If the player has indeed made a mistake and it is not a draw situation, the person overseeing the match can quickly make this determination.
If there were no record of the individual moves, this would not be possible.
Proves Time
Almost all chess matches that are played in a competitive format are timed.
The timed matches add another level of difficulty to the game and are important to follow.
Basically, with a timed match, players will need to record a certain number of moves within a given time period.
If you are not able to record these moves during that period of time, you will have a penalty assessed.
It is hard enough to figure out a great move to make in chess, but it is made much harder by having that move timed.
Therefore, if you are not able to play chess and follow the game within the time limits as well as make the proper moves, you may not be ready for a tournament style of play.
The time on the clock is recorded at the beginning of the score sheet.
As each move is made, all of the moves are recorded and kept on the scoresheet.
When the game is over, the time is then recorded.
The arbiter of the chess match can then look back at the scoring and see that the moves were all completed in the proper time and there was a clear winner.
Timed chess is difficult, and if you are normally playing for fun, it may make sense to add a timer to the game to mix things up a bit.
Prevents Cheating
Chess is a game that requires high moral character and impressive skill.
If you are new to chess, you will quickly learn that each individual move is incredibly important, and there is no tolerance for cheating in this game.
Therefore, it makes sense to have a written record of each match to prove that cheating was not a factor.
For most people, cheating happens when an opponent is about to lose.
The opponent may have seen that they made a mistake and may try to correct the piece on the board to help save their match.
This is obviously against the rules of chess.
The good news is that if you suspect your opponent has cheated, it can quickly be verified by looking at the scoresheet.
The arbiter will look at the sheet and determine if any pieces have been repositioned in a way to work for the player and the game and not as part of one of the moves required as part of the game.
Although cheating can be rare in the game of chess, it is a problem that must be considered and protected against.
This is just another reason that all chess tournaments require the moves of each match to be recorded.
More Reliable Records
You may be wondering why this process is so important if we now have electronic chess boards.
Electronic chess boards will record moves for you.
Each time a player makes a move, the board makes a note of what the move was, and then it switches back to the other player.
Although these boards make the recording much easier, this is not always a reliable solution.
Electronics can have malfunctions and issues.
These issues can lead to the score not being recorded for a good portion of the game.
Therefore, the match will be left without any record, and players may be stuck trying to piece together what happened during the match.
Instead, the written record has become a more trusted method in the game of chess.
As you likely know, chess is not a new game.
Throughout history, players of the game have learned to trust these written results and use them to deal with things like study of the game, deterrence of cheating, and more.
The written record of the game is also very easy for an arbiter to see once the match is completed.
These people have learned what to look for on the scoresheet and how they can help determine a draw.
When using an electronic board, it is not possible for a player to stop and record their draw, and this is a major downside.
Although technology is constantly improving, the electronic recording of the game is still not used in all chess tournaments.
If you are thinking of moving towards competitive chess, learn to record your moves promptly so that it does not affect your level of play.
Chances are you are going to need this skill when your first tournaments start.
Self-Improvement And Analysis
Last but not least, recording the moves of a chess match will help you do some analysis and improvement.
Chess players have the record to look back on and find where they made a mistake.
They can use this record to play and practice and determine where they may have gone wrong.
Looking at the record of the game allows players to replay each and every move.
The reason you won or lost will be shown in these moves.
Getting to the bottom of what could have caused a win or a loss is the only way to improve long term.
If you know any serious chess players, one of the things that they will do to get better is study some famous matches.
From these matches, they can learn various skills and ideas and then use them in their next round of play.
Self-improvement is a significant reason that having a record of your chess tournament is a great benefit.
The game of chess takes a long time to learn and perfect.
When players have the ability to look back and see their progress and how they have evolved, they will be able to play better rounds of the game.
Those who get very into chess will learn certain moves and combinations.
These can be used to help a player win a match, as long as they are set up in the proper positions.
Recognizing these positions and then making the proper moves and steps is essential.
However, the only way to get this done is to record moves and then be able to improve upon them.
How to Record Chess Moves
Players record chess moves by first indicating the piece in question using the following abbreviations:
- K – King
- Q – Queen
- B – Bishop
- R – Rook
- N – Knight
Players do not use a letter when recording moves by pawns.
If the piece captures an opposing piece, the player will put an “X” after the abbreviation.
Next, the player will write down the end square of the piece.
From the white plater’s perspective, the columns are labeled A – H from left to right. Vertically, each row gets a number from 1 – 8.
If the puts the king in danger, they will notate that using an “x” at the end of the notation.
Analysts may provide input on their perception of moves after the fact by including the final markings at the end of their notations:
- ?! – dubious move
- !? – unexpected move
- ?? – awful move
- ? – bad move
- ! – good move
- !! – excellent move
Ways of Recording Chess Moves
There are a couple of different ways to record chess moves that can come in handy when recording chess moves in different situations.
Always record your chess moves in the appropriate format to avoid disqualification!
Algebraic Chess Notion
The most popular form of recording chess moves, both FIDE and the U.S. Chess Federation use the Algebraic Chess Notion.
This notion came to popularity when it was used in the influential German chess book Handbuch des Schachspiels.
There are a number of different acceptable ways to record Algebraic Chess Notion as part of the approved Standard Algebraic Notation (SAN), including:
- Long Algebraic Notion (LAN) – records the starting file and rank of a piece
- Short Algebraic Notion – omits the starting file and rank of a piece unless necessary to remove ambiguity and confusion
- Minimal Algebraic Notion (MAN) – also omits the starting file and rank of a piece unless necessary except it replaces the symbols for capture (x), check (+), and checkmate (#)
Descriptive Chess Notation
The most popular notion before 1970, the descriptive chess notion, as the name implies, goes into detail on every move. It takes longer than other options, resulting in people shifting to the more concise algebraic chess notion.
ICCF Numeric Notation
The Internation Chess Correspondence Foundation (ICCF) uses this notation that consists only of numbers to avoid any confusion among players who speak different languages.
Smith Notation
Originated to disambiguate, this notation records:
- Source square
- Destination square
- Pieces captured
Are There Times When Recording Moves Is Not Necessary?
If you have ever watched a game of speed chess, you may wonder how each move would be written down.
The truth is that, under the rules of chess, if there is a speed chess game taking place, it will be acceptable not to write down the moves.
In addition, if a player has less than five minutes left on their clock, they may not have to write down the moves.
The recording of moves in chess can be time-consuming, and it is not intended to slow down or inhibit the play.
If for some reason, the player is unable to write down their moves after each turn, sometimes a helper can be used to assist with the recording process.
Of course, if you are playing a game of chess with your friends, writing down your moves is not necessary.
However, some people find that they can learn a great deal of strategy from going back and looking at the chess moves that were made in previous matches.
Do Grandmasters Record Their Moves?
A grandmaster is a chess player who has proven they are of the highest class.
These grandmasters have won tournaments, especially on the international level, and they have become recognized as a people to beat in the world of chess.
Becoming a grandmaster means that you have a great deal of skill and understanding of the game.
When two grandmasters compete against each other, there is very little room for error, and each will have to play a perfect game.
These matches can be something that is based on the will to win.
These grandmasters will have to focus quite intently to be able to be on the winning side of any of these matches.
If you have seen any of the movies and television series about chess, you know that the intensity of these major matches is quite strong.
Chess players work hard to get to the grandmaster level, and once they are there, they want to be able to maintain it.
With the status of a grandmaster being so high, it may seem surprising that they still record their moves.
However, since the recording of the moves is a chess rule that all must follow, even the grandmasters are not exempt.
Therefore it also makes sense that the grandmaster would want to ensure that they have the correct information recorded to secure their win.
In addition, you can imagine that grandmasters will go back and study the game’s moves to see if there was any room for improvement.
Chances are the grandmaster will find some points in the game where they left pieces exposed, and they could have done a better job.
Win or lose, having a record of the game is essential.
Benefits of Playing Chess
Many people find chess fun, but you may not know all of the additional benefits of playing chess.
Improve Memory
Playing chess forces people to remember various combinations of moves as well as their opponents’ favorite strategies.
Experiments show that chess players have higher memory than other people when it comes to recalling a list of words as well as visual patterns.
Chess has even been shown to reduce dementia in people as they get older. Dementia is a cognitive condition in which patients lose their ability to remember things from both the past and present day.
Enhance Problem Solving Skills
Everyone needs adequate problem-solving skills to navigate issues in a professional or personal arena.
Since chess forces players to solve the ultimate problem of overtaking the opponent’s king without letting them reach their king first.
Social Interaction
Some chess players consider themselves to possess below-average social skills. Playing chess puts players in a social environment where they must interact with other people.
Famed chess player Bobby Fischer dropped out of high school at the age of 16 due to his social ineptitude. While some people argue he still showed a lack of social graces in his adult years, playing with others undoubtedly improved his ability to communicate with others and act appropriately in a public setting.
Reduce Anxiety
People who suffer from anxiety can find a sense of relief when playing chess, either electronically or against a real person.
The game can distract the player from their stressors and result in fewer panic attacks to the point that some players use chess as a replacement for anti-anxiety medication.
Some therapists even use chess therapy to encourage patients to lower their guard, allowing for a stronger patient-therapist relationship.
How To Improve Your Chess Game
Everyone likes to win. However, it takes time to get to the skill level where you will win more often than not. You have to take these steps to constantly improve your chess game until you finally achieve your personal goals.
Know The Rules
You will make a lot of easily preventable mistakes if you don’t learn the rules of the game.
Some chess rules that every player needs to learn and practice include:
If you touch a chess piece, you need to play it.
- En passante
- Castling
- Pawn promotion
Practice Practice Practice
First and foremost, you need to practice playing chess as much as possible. While electronic games provide an adequate challenge, it’s best to play with human opponents as often as possible. It’s best to mimic the setting of your upcoming game as well as possible.
While you practice, you should go over your moves to look for ways to improve, so you should always record all of your moves as you would in a professional game.
Learn Common Strategies/Tactics
When you know the common chess tactics, you can stop an opponent if you see it coming or even use the tactics yourself.
Before you start, determine whether you want to play offensively or defensively, with most people preferring an offensive style.
Naturally, the opening sequence plays a huge role in the final outcome of the game. You want to start strong to end strong. However, people greatly debate the best beginning moves, especially considering it can vary depending on whether you play white or black (white goes first).
Two common opening sequences play out as follows:
Once the game gets going, you need to understand the different attacks. The most common chess techniques are:
- Pin – forcing a piece to stay in its place or risk vulnerability of a more valuable piece
- Skewer – forcing a piece out from its current location to protect a more valuable piece, sacrificing itself
- Fork – attacking two opposing pieces at the same time
Finally, you will learn to take advantage of different checkmate patterns to win the game.
Some of the common checkmate patterns include:
- Queen and Knight
- Queen and Bishop
- King and Pawn
- Bishop and Knight
- Bishop and Bishop
- Smothered Mate
- Rook and Knight
Put Yourself In Your Opponent’s Place
Chess is a game of the mind. However, that doesn’t only refer to your mind but your opponent’s mind as well.
Analyze your opponent as if you are playing a game of poker to determine how they respond in different situations. You can use this information to determine what they may plan to do next.
At the same time, you need to do your best to hide your own thoughts throughout the game.
Observe the Greats
Watch excellent chess players play against each other to learn what they do while playing. Look for things you can incorporate into your own game.
If you do not have access to great chess players in person, you can watch chess tournaments on television or watch past games online.
Chess Tournaments
When you reach the coveted title of chess grand master, you may attempt to play in one of the prestigious chess tournaments around the world.
The first chess tournament took place in London in 1851, and people have turned to tournaments to determine the best chess players in the world every year since.
Tata Steel Chess Tournament
The Tata Steel Chess Tournament, often referred to as the “Wimbledon of chess”, currently takes place in the Norwegian town of Wijk Aan Zee.
Fourteen grandmasters gather together to play a round-robin tournament.
Jordan van Foreest won in spectacular fashion in 2021. However, Magnus Carlsen holds the record with 7 wins, and Viswanathan Anand comes in second with 5 wins.
Chess Olympiad
The Chess Olympiad incorporates an element of patriotism to the game by pitting the best chess players from different countries against each other to determine which country will come out on top. All teams consist of four players and one standby.
The Soviet Union contains the most gold medals with a total of 18 (with Russa having 6 gold medals after the dissolution of the Soviet Union). The United States comes in second with 6 gold medals.
The three best American players to participate in the order of who won the most medals are Isaac Kashdan (6), James Tarjan (3), and Bobby Fischer (3).
Candidate’s Tournament/World Championship of Chess
The Candidate’s Tournament, organized by FIDE, is an elimination-style tournament that determines who will play in the esteemed World Championship of Chess.
The winner of the Candidate’s Tournament plays the previous year’s incumbent.
Emanuel Lasker has the longest-running reign of any champion, winning a total of 27 years between 1894 – 1921.
How To Become A Chess Grand Master
The highest title in chess is a grand master. According to the latest list by FIDE, there are currently only 1,721 people who hold the title (37 of them women).
To become a grand master, players must compete in norm tournaments that meet the FIDE qualifications and win 3 times. After that, you must earn a high Elo rating.
ELO Rating System
Many people use the Elo rating system to determine a chess player’s skill level in a standardized way.
See the following groupings:
- 0 – 1000 – beginner
- 1001 – 1200 – below average
- 1201 – 1400 – average
- 1401 – 1700 – above average
- 1701 – 1900 – strategist
- 1901 – 2100 – outstanding
- 2100+ – genius
To become a chess grand master, someone must achieve an Elo rating of 2500+ at some point throughout their career and adhere to the other requirements set in place by FIDE.
Estimate your own Elo rating here!
Conclusion
Hopefully, you now feel as though you understand why chess moves are recorded.
If you are serious about the game of chess, you should start practicing your moves now.
The game is sometimes difficult, and when you have to learn a new skill like recording on top of learning the game, it can become overwhelming.
Instead, focus on learning how to record now, and you will end up much better at it when a tournament comes along.
The overall process of recording your chess match is not complicated, but you do need to practice and learn to see the benefits of this process.
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