Recording a GameHow to keep a scoresheet, and why it is worth doing.ChessRequired in most tournaments, and useful in every game.1Number each move pairOne number, White's move, then Black's.2Use algebraic notationPiece letter plus destination square.3Mark checks and captures+ for check, x for capture, # for mate.4Record the result1-0, 0-1 or ½-½ at the bottom.5Both players signIn tournaments, both scoresheets are signed.WHYYou can review the game afterwardsIt supports repetition and fifty-move claimsThe act of writing slows you down usefullyIn time trouble — under five minutes without increment — mostfederations excuse you from recording until the control is passed.Recording a Gamelearnposters.com
Recording a Game — printable games wall chart from LearnPosters. Free vector PDF, US Letter and A4.

Recording a Game, step by step

Required in most tournaments, and useful in every game.

  1. Number each move pairOne number, White's move, then Black's.
  2. Use algebraic notationPiece letter plus destination square.
  3. Mark checks and captures+ for check, x for capture, # for mate.
  4. Record the result1-0, 0-1 or ½-½ at the bottom.
  5. Both players signIn tournaments, both scoresheets are signed.

Why

  • You can review the game afterwards
  • It supports repetition and fifty-move claims
  • The act of writing slows you down usefully

In time trouble — under five minutes without increment — most federations excuse you from recording until the control is passed.

Questions about the Recording a Game poster

What’s on the Recording a Game poster?
5 numbered steps, with a full worked run-through. Required in most tournaments, and useful in every game. Number each move pair — One number, White's move, then Black's.; Use algebraic notation — Piece letter plus destination square.; Mark checks and captures — + for check, x for capture, # for mate.; Record the result — 1-0, 0-1 or ½-½ at the bottom.; Both players sign — In tournaments, both scoresheets are signed.. In time trouble — under five minutes without increment — most federations excuse you from recording until the control is passed.
Who is the Recording a Game poster for?
Recording a Game belongs to the Chess section rather than to a school year, because games is not something one grade owns. Anyone learning fundamentals can pin it up — a beginner, a student mid-course, or someone revising years later.
When should you use the Recording a Game poster?
Write the move before playing it, or immediately after. Not two moves later. A wall chart earns its place by being glanceable from where the work is happening, so Recording a Game belongs on the wall where that games work actually happens, within glancing distance, rather than filed away.
What other posters go with Recording a Game?
Algebraic Notation, Setting Up the Board and Check, Mate & Stalemate sit alongside Recording a Game in the Chess section. Printed together they make a wall rather than a single sheet, which is how a reference set actually gets used.Algebraic NotationSetting Up the BoardCheck, Mate & Stalemate
Is the Recording a Game poster free to download and print?
Yes. Recording a Game downloads as a free PDF with no account, no email and no watermark, like everything else in the Chess section. Print as many copies as you like for a home, a classroom, a library or a tutoring group; reselling the file is the only thing the licence rules out.Read the licence
What size does the Recording a Game poster print at?
Recording a Game is a vector PDF laid out for US Letter, and prints on A4 with Fit to page — the same file, no separate download. Because every mark on it is drawn rather than photographed, it stays sharp enlarged to A3, A2 or A1 at a copy shop. Colour carries emphasis only, so a greyscale print of Recording a Game loses nothing.Printing guide

Related posters

Charts that sit alongside Recording a Game on the same wall.

Browse every Chess poster, or start from the full catalogue.