Chess problemists (problem composers and solvers) use algegraic chess notation. By convention white plays 'up' the board and black plays 'down'. The columns of the board are labelled A - H and the rows are labelled 1 - 8. Thus any square can be referenced by its column and row labels (e.g. C7).

The pieces are labelled:

 K - King
 Q - Queen
 B - Bishop
 N - Knight ('S' may be used)
      (S is derived from the German 'Springer')
 R - Rook
 P - Pawn

A move is identified by the piece that moves and the square to which it moves. For example, Qc4 means the Queen moves to square C4. If two pieces of the same type can move to the same square, the appropriate piece is indicated by prefixing its identifier with the label of the row or column on which it stands. Thus aRb4 indicates that the rook currently in column A moves to square B4. If a piece is captured in a move, an "x" is placed between the piece and row identifiers. Bxf7 indicates that a bishop is to take the piece currently on square F7.

 O-O indicates King's side castling.
 O-O-O indicate Queen's side castling.
 ep after a move indicates that a pawn was taken en passant.
 + after a move indicates check
 ! after a move indicates a winning move
 ? after a move indicates a poor move
 The piece to which a pawn is promoted is shown in brackets
  e.g. Pf8(Q) shows that the pawn was promoted to be Queen.

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