Answers.Body: <p>it meant a pawn on b captured something on a1
  and promoted to a queen</p>
  
  <p>this is normal notation</p>
  
  <p>why they want =  to be on the end of a score sheet for a tie is ridiculous</p>
  
  <p>1/2 - 1/2  always worked well to denote a tie </p>
  
  <p>and =x has been used for promoting to piece x 
  for the 67 years i have played chess</p>
  
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Answers.Body: <p>I would read it as "Pawn takes something on <code>a1</code> and promotes to a Queen".</p>
  
  <p>Strictly according to the <a href="http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=171&amp;view=article" rel="noreferrer">Laws of Chess</a> the <code>=</code> sign should not be there (see article C.11).</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>C.11<br>
    In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed immediately by the abbreviation of the new piece. Examples: d8Q, exf8N, b1B, g1R.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>However this is a PGN file, which has its own rules for game notation and it uses the <code>=</code> sign for pawn promotion (see paragraph 3 of article 8.2.3.3 in the <a href="http://www6.chessclub.com/help/PGN-spec" rel="noreferrer">PGN standard specification</a> also available <a href="http://www.saremba.de/chessgml/standards/pgn/pgn-complete.htm" rel="noreferrer">here</a>, which should probably be the official reference). </p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <p>[...]. Pawn promotions are denoted by the equal sign "=" immediately following the destination square with a promoted piece letter (indicating one of knight, bishop, rook, or queen) immediately following the equal sign. As above, the piece letter is in uppercase.</p>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>Draw data is handled in so-called  <em>EPD records</em> for describing chess positions, using verbose opcodes like <code>draw_offer</code>.  Although it isn't included in PGN proper, specifics are included in articles 16.2.5.8 - 16.2.5.11 of the standard.</p>
  
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Body: <p>I have a PGN file with the following move in it:</p>
  
  <blockquote>
    <ol start="11">
    <li>fxe5 bxa1=Q</li>
    </ol>
  </blockquote>
  
  <p>I understand the equals sign represents a draw offer, but what does "=Q" mean?</p>
  
Tags: <notation>
Title: What does "bxa1=Q" mean?
ThreadText: # What does "bxa1=Q" mean?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2016-01-20)
  
  I have a PGN file with the following move in it:
  
  > 11. fxe5 bxa1=Q
  
  I understand the equals sign represents a draw offer, but what does "=Q" mean?
  
  **Tags:** notation
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2016-01-20. Score: 26 | Accepted answer
  
  I would read it as "Pawn takes something on `a1` and promotes to a Queen".
  
  Strictly according to the [Laws of Chess](http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=171&view=article) the `=` sign should not be there (see article C.11).
  
  > C.11  
  > In the case of the promotion of a pawn, the actual pawn move is indicated, followed immediately by the abbreviation of the new piece. Examples: d8Q, exf8N, b1B, g1R.
  
  However this is a PGN file, which has its own rules for game notation and it uses the `=` sign for pawn promotion (see paragraph 3 of article 8.2.3.3 in the [PGN standard specification](http://www6.chessclub.com/help/PGN-spec) also available [here](http://www.saremba.de/chessgml/standards/pgn/pgn-complete.htm), which should probably be the official reference).
  
  > [...]. Pawn promotions are denoted by the equal sign "=" immediately following the destination square with a promoted piece letter (indicating one of knight, bishop, rook, or queen) immediately following the equal sign. As above, the piece letter is in uppercase.
  
  Draw data is handled in so-called *EPD records* for describing chess positions, using verbose opcodes like `draw_offer`. Although it isn't included in PGN proper, specifics are included in articles 16.2.5.8 - 16.2.5.11 of the standard.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2016-02-05. Score: 0
  
  it meant a pawn on b captured something on a1
  and promoted to a queen
  
  this is normal notation
  
  why they want = to be on the end of a score sheet for a tie is ridiculous
  
  1/2 - 1/2 always worked well to denote a tie
  
  and =x has been used for promoting to piece x
  for the 67 years i have played chess
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_2**: This post adds nothing useful to an already given answer. I suggest that you delete it.  
  > **username_3**: It is a valid answer.  Should not be deleted.  
  
  ---
  
  