What is the best move in algebraic chess notation?

There's no single "best move" in algebraic chess notation that applies universally. The optimal move is entirely context-dependent and changes drastically based on the position on the board. What constitutes the "best" move also depends on the goal: winning the game, achieving a draw, or maximizing material advantage.

However, we can talk about moves considered brilliant or decisive in famous games, often noted for their unexpectedness, depth, or effectiveness in achieving a clear positional or material advantage. These moves are usually described with commentary explaining why they're considered best in that specific situation.

For example, a move like 1. e4 (the King's Pawn opening) is statistically the most popular opening move in chess, suggesting its effectiveness at achieving a balanced and playable game. However, it's not inherently "best" – other openings like 1. d4 or 1. c4 might be preferable depending on a player's style or against specific opponents.

Similarly, a seemingly simple move like Qxg7# (Queen takes on g7, checkmate) is undeniably a "best" move when it leads to checkmate, but only in the specific position where that move is available and delivers checkmate.

To find examples of specific brilliant moves, you would need to look at analyses of famous chess games. Websites and books dedicated to chess analysis often highlight critical moves and explain the reasoning behind their choice as the best option in that particular position. These often feature annotations like:

• ! (exclamation mark) indicating a good move
• !! (double exclamation mark) indicating a very good or brilliant move
• ?! (exclamation and question mark) indicating a dubious move
• !? (question mark and exclamation mark) indicating an interesting or unexpected move.

Without a specific chess position, it's impossible to identify a single "best" move in algebraic notation. The concept of a "best" move is always relative to the game's context.