AboutChuck Kinzie Expertise I can answer basic chess questions regarding opening, middlegame and endgame strategy and tactics. I cannot answer questions about positions with subtle nuances that require Grandmaster or computer analysis.
Experience I have been playing in chess tournaments for over thirty years.
Organizations United States Chess Federation
Publications I have a chess blog: http://www.chuckychess.blogspot.org
Education/Credentials I earned a United States Chess Federation Expert rating in 1987.
Question Reading chess moves, I come across these symbols ++/-,+/- or ?! or variations to them... What do they all mean or can you direct me where i can find the definitions to these symbols?
Answer Hi Newbie,
Sorry it has taken me so long to respond to your question. I don't have my own computer, and I haven't been to the library since last Tuesday to use the computer.
Anyhow, now that I got the excuses out of the way....
Here are some common symbols used to show the annotator's evaluation of a chess position:
++/--: White is winning
--/++: Black is winning
+/-: White has a clear advantage
-/+: Black has a clear advantage
+/=: White has a slight advantage
=/+: Black has a slight advantage
=: Both sides have equal winning chances
Here are some common symbols used by annotators to evaluate a specific move:
!!: Great move
!: Good move
!?: Interesting move
?!: Dubious move (not the best move, but not downright bad)
?: Bad move
??: Blunder
Hope I was able to help.
Again, my apologies for the delay in answering your question.