being placed first, thus: (1) P—K4; P—Q4, indicates that in the first move of the game White moved his Pawn to his King's fourth square, and Black moved his Pawn to his Queen's fourth square.
Certain technical terms are also abbreviated in the English system of notation. Those essential for the student to know are:
Ch. for Check. When the Piece or Pawn moved gives check.
Dis. ch. for Discovered Check. When the Piece or Pawn moved discovers check.
E. P. for En Passant. When the Pawn captures en passant.
Mate for Checkmate. When the Piece or Pawn checkmates.
O-O for Castling. When the player castles with his King's Rook.
O-O-O for Castling. When the player castles with his Queen's Rook.
? after a move indicates that it is a poor or inferior play.
! after a move indicates that it is a good or scientific play.
