user687: How does algebra relate to this chess notation?
Why do they call this chess notation algebraic?

user657: Algebra is more than simply a branch of mathematics. The central element of it is using symbols  as abstractions, the way the notation uses letters and numbers to represent the squares, as opposed to the systems where the square is more concretely described, as "King Bishop 4" for example.

user1656: Algebraic notation is quite old. It is based on a system created by Philipp Stamma (c.1705–55) before descriptive notation started to evolve. There is no indication that anyone with a mathematical background had anything to do with its development or spreading, so my best guess is that they called it "algebraic" simply because it uses coordinates. The funny thing is that there is nothing algebraic about coordinates. If anything, it should be called "geometric notation", but somehow "algebraic" sounds better; as if it is more accurate.
In brief, I strongly suspect that they just called it "algebraic".

user1161: I think that Jonathan Garber is right. Much of algebra has to do with equation in an x y coordinate plane which is very similar to the way that algebraic notation denotes specific squares on the board. I have however not been able to find any specific source of the information. 

687: <p>How does algebra relate to this chess notation?</p>

<p>Why do they call this chess notation <strong>algebraic</strong>?</p>
 657: <p>Algebra is more than simply a branch of mathematics. The central element of it is using symbols  as abstractions, the way the notation uses letters and numbers to represent the squares, as opposed to the systems where the square is more concretely described, as "King Bishop 4" for example.</p>
 1656: <p>Algebraic notation is quite old. It is based on a system created by Philipp Stamma (c.1705–55) <em>before</em> descriptive notation started to evolve. There is no indication that anyone with a mathematical background had anything to do with its development or spreading, so my best guess is that they called it "algebraic" simply because it uses coordinates. The funny thing is that there is nothing algebraic about coordinates. If anything, it should be called "geometric notation", but somehow "algebraic" sounds better; as if it is more accurate.</p>

<p>In brief, I strongly suspect that they <strong>just</strong> called it "algebraic".</p>
 1161: <p>I think that Jonathan Garber is right. Much of algebra has to do with equation in an x y coordinate plane which is very similar to the way that algebraic notation denotes specific squares on the board. I have however not been able to find any specific source of the information. </p>
