[net.chess] English/Algebraic parser construction help

ab3@pucc-h (Rich Kulawiec) (08/29/84)

	Hi there.  I'm trying to construct a program to help with playing
net-chess, and one of the pieces that I'm currently mangling is an
English-Algebraic (and vice versa) move translator.  Now, I'm an English
notation user from way back, and I struggle a lot with Algebraic, and I
don't want to start a debate over this, 'cause I don't think we'll all
ever agree...but I was wondering whether or not the notes below were
correct and/or complete.  Any help (via mail, please) appreciated.

	Quick note: let's assume that uppercase is accepted as well.

	Pieces: "kqbnrp"
	Algebraic Files: "abcdefgh"
	English Files: "kqbnr"
	Algebraic and English Ranks: "12345678"
	Algebraic capture: ":"
	English capture: "x"
	Positional note: "/" "()"	(as in p/k4xn or r(e6)e3)
	Promotioanl note: "()"		(as in p-k8(q))
	Positional evaluation: "+-="
	Move evaluation: "?!"
	Special note: "o-o-o o-o ch ep" 

	Ok, what did I forget or do wrong?
-- 
---Rsk

UUCP: { decvax, icalqa, ihnp4, inuxc, sequent, uiucdcs  } !pur-ee!rsk
      { decwrl, hplabs, icase, psuvax1, siemens, ucbvax } !purdue!rsk

It's better to burn out, than to fade away...

WEBBER@RUTGERS.ARPA (09/03/84)

From:  Bob Webber <WEBBER@RUTGERS.ARPA>

re algebraic capture:  x is also used as well as the occasional nothing as in
 cd4 (which is probably a pawn move).

re positional note (algebraic): r(e6)e3 is more likely to be written as r6e3 
or ree3 although after a few pawn promotions re6e3 might become needed.

re algebraic check: + can be used.

re algebraic mate: ++ or # can be used although :-) is preferred.

e.p. can be used instead of ep.

also note that the first supplement of the 2nd edition of the OFFICIAL RULES
OF CHESS indicates that F (for french fou) and L (for dutch loper) are useable
for bishop.  incidently, on page 68 of the above tract we are told 
that : for capture will not be recognized after 1 Jan 81, "in the interest 
of uniformity and clarity".

they also describe an algebraic long form wherein people write Ng8-f6 instead
of Nf3.  under the "descriptive system", they cite PxR/Q as the approbriate
way to indicate queen promotion of a pawn while capturing a rook.

of course, we should really consider reviving telecommunications notation,
also known as uedemann code.  after all, there is something charming about
black responding PEPO to white's opening GEGO.

also, not to be missed is the CODE SYSTEM section of chess informant, where
we find that TN means theoretical novelty and RR means editorial remark.
it might be worth stealing the [] convention from them for including 
commentary in square brackets (since every notation needs a commenting 
convention).

-------------- BOB  (webber@rutgers)
-------