Code:
1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Qf3 g6
6. Nc3
@Blarg we are communicating through the internationally accepted form of Chess Notation. The first letter represents the piece being moved, with the lowercase letter-number combo following it representing the Square. The first column is white's moves on that turn, the second column is black's. Here's a quick rundown:
Code:
This is a chess board
8 W B W B W B W B
7 B W B W B W B W
6 W B W B W B W B
5 B W B W B W B W
4 W B W B W B W B
3 B W B W B W B W
2 W B W B W B W B
1 B W B W B W B W
A B C D E F G H
The numbered lines are referred to as "Ranks"
The lettered lines are referred to as "Files"
W= White Square; B= Black Square
No letter = Pawn Move
R= Rook
N= Knight
B= Bishop
Q= Queen
K= King
O-O = Castling Kingside
O-O-O= Castling Queenside
Using "x" (example: Bxc4) means a capture is made on that turn. In the example provided, The bishop captures the piece on square c4
Putting e.p. at the end of a pawn move denotes en passant form of capture (a lesser known and advanced rule)
Using a "=" in the case of e=Q means a pawn was promoted by reaching the other side of the board. You would read this as Pawn on the E file was promoted to a Queen.
+ means a piece is placing the king in "check"
++ or # means the king is in checkmate, the end of the game.
In the case of a Stalemate (draw) a DRAW is simply written next to the final move made. If a player resigns, rather than is checkmated, this is also noted.
If there is ambiguity to a piece in question (when more than one of the same piece, a rook for example) cna move to the same square, you either please the rank or file it is on next to it's letter. As in this case: Rbxf6# Means, the rook on the "B" file moved to f6 and captured the piece there resulting in a checkmate.
Furthermore, if a game is being reviewed after the fact, or commented on, the reviewer may choose to use these symbols, placed next to specific moves:
* !! - brilliant move
* ! - good move
* ? - bad move
* ?? - terrible move/blunder
* !? - interesting move
* ?! - questionable move
Below is the current status of the game following the move I make in this post. You can find an editable board like this at Chess: Interactive Chessboard with Diagram Editor if you wish to keep track.
Hope this was helpful!