Glossary of Chess

N: Symbol used for the knight when recording chess moves in English.
NCO: Abbreviation sometimes used for the chess opening reference Nunn's Chess Openings. Cf. ECO and MCO.
NN or N.N.: Used in a game score in place of a player whose name is not known. The origin of this usage is uncertain. It may be an abbreviation of the Latin nomina (names), it may be short for the Latin phrase nomen nescio, "name unknown" (literally "I do not know the name") or it may come from the use of "N or NN" (later read as "N or M") in the Anglican Catechism. See also Amateur.
Norm: A performance at a chess tournament that indicates a player is ready to receive a title, or the level of performance needed. In addition to other requirements, a certain number of norms is generally required to earn a title. See Grandmaster and International Master.
Novelty: A new move in the opening. Sometimes called a "theoretical novelty" or "TN".