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How are check and checkmate recorded in chess notation?
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chess
Position of chess pieces at the beginning of a game. The pieces are placed on the two ranks closest to the player. In the closest rank, pieces are arranged from left to right: rook, knight, bishop, queen, king, bishop, knight, and rook. In front of that rank, each square has a pawn.
In algebraic notation, which is the standard method for recording chess games, specific symbols are appended to a move to indicate the status of the opponent's king:12
- Check: Indicated by adding + or ch at the end of the move notation.2
- Checkmate: Often indicated by adding # or ++ at the end of the move notation.2
These symbols follow the standard move designation, which identifies the piece moved (using initials like B for bishop or N for knight) and the destination square (e.g., e5). Pawn moves do not use piece initials, and captures are typically marked with an x or :.2