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Chess data: formats structures and dataset files, control version

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Part 2

Example of a FEN string for a position: rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 1 2

Breakdown of how this translates to a board:

  • rnbqkbnr/pp2pppp/8/2p5/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R: This is the piece placement.
  • rnbqkbnr: Black's back rank (Rook, Knight, Bishop, Queen, King, Bishop, Knight, Rook)
  • / : New rank
  • pp2pppp: Black's pawns, with two empty squares (2)
  • /8: An entire empty rank
  • /2p5: Two empty squares, a black pawn (p), five empty squares
  • /4P3: Four empty squares, a white pawn (P), three empty squares
  • /5N2: Five empty squares, a white knight (N), two empty squares
  • /PPPP1PPP: White's pawns, with one empty square (1)
  • /RNBQKB1R: White's back rank, with one empty square (1)
  • b: It is Black's turn to move.
  • KQkq: Both White and Black can castle kingside and queenside.
  • -: There is no en passant target square
  • 1: The halfmove clock (moves since last pawn advance or capture) is 1.
  • 2: It is the 2nd full move number of the game.

Ask students to use FEN to solve simple puzzles. Give them a FEN string and ask them to visualize and sketch the board, focusing on what each section adds to the position. At first it should be better to do with paper or with physical boards.