user725: I have a PGN file with the following move in it:


fxe5 bxa1=Q


I understand the equals sign represents a draw offer, but what does "=Q" mean?

user8844: I would read it as "Pawn takes something on a1 and promotes to a Queen".
Strictly according to the Laws of Chess the = sign should not be there (see article C.11).

C.11
  In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed immediately by the abbreviation of the new piece. Examples: d8Q, exf8N, b1B, g1R.

However this is a PGN file, which has its own rules for game notation and it uses the = sign for pawn promotion (see paragraph 3 of article 8.2.3.3 in the PGN standard specification also available here, which should probably be the official reference). 

[...]. Pawn promotions are denoted by the equal sign "=" immediately following the destination square with a promoted piece letter (indicating one of knight, bishop, rook, or queen) immediately following the equal sign. As above, the piece letter is in uppercase.

Draw data is handled in so-called  EPD records for describing chess positions, using verbose opcodes like draw_offer.  Although it isn't included in PGN proper, specifics are included in articles 16.2.5.8 - 16.2.5.11 of the standard.

725: <p>I have a PGN file with the following move in it:</p>

<blockquote>
  <ol start="11">
  <li>fxe5 bxa1=Q</li>
  </ol>
</blockquote>

<p>I understand the equals sign represents a draw offer, but what does "=Q" mean?</p>
 8844: <p>I would read it as "Pawn takes something on <code>a1</code> and promotes to a Queen".</p>

<p>Strictly according to the <a href="http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=171&amp;view=article" rel="noreferrer">Laws of Chess</a> the <code>=</code> sign should not be there (see article C.11).</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>C.11<br>
  In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed immediately by the abbreviation of the new piece. Examples: d8Q, exf8N, b1B, g1R.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>However this is a PGN file, which has its own rules for game notation and it uses the <code>=</code> sign for pawn promotion (see paragraph 3 of article 8.2.3.3 in the <a href="http://www6.chessclub.com/help/PGN-spec" rel="noreferrer">PGN standard specification</a> also available <a href="http://www.saremba.de/chessgml/standards/pgn/pgn-complete.htm" rel="noreferrer">here</a>, which should probably be the official reference). </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>[...]. Pawn promotions are denoted by the equal sign "=" immediately following the destination square with a promoted piece letter (indicating one of knight, bishop, rook, or queen) immediately following the equal sign. As above, the piece letter is in uppercase.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Draw data is handled in so-called  <em>EPD records</em> for describing chess positions, using verbose opcodes like <code>draw_offer</code>.  Although it isn't included in PGN proper, specifics are included in articles 16.2.5.8 - 16.2.5.11 of the standard.</p>
