Algebraic notation (chess) board. Thus each square has a unique identification of file letter followed by rank number. (For example, White's king starts the game on square e1; Black's knight on b8 can move to open squares a6 or c6.) Each piece type (other than pawns) is identified by an uppercase letter. English-speaking players use the letters "K" for king, "Q" for queen, "R" for rook, "B" for bishop, and "N" for knight (since K is already used). "S" (from the German "Springer") was also used for the knight in the early days of algebraic notation and is still used in some chess
Algebraic notation (chess) meaning of "elephant" in the European languages that use it for the piece called "bishop" in English. Besides the FIDE standard (or short) algebraic notation (SAN) already described, several similar systems are in use for their own particular advantages. Figurine algebraic notation (or FAN) is a widely used variation of algebraic notation which substitutes a piece symbol for the letter representing a piece, for example: ♞c6 in place of Nc6. (Pawns are unlabeled, just like in regular algebraic notation.) This enables moves to be read independent of language. The Unicode Miscellaneous Symbols set includes all the symbols necessary for FAN.