I'm also curious to know what it means. :) Never seen it before this thread came along and it really strikes me as odd.
Oh so the cross is actually + but in a more creative design?
The cross/plus symbol indeed is a symbol representing "check" in chess notation.
The N is the symbol for Knight. (K was already taken for the King. 
)
Edit: I see now what you're talking about on second look. It's not the usual N for knight notation, but appears to be something different.
At first I thought you were making a joke because I saw by your rating you had to know that N stood for Knight. But then I saw the location of it and see it's something I also don't know.
Yes, i've seen it before. It's just like using those symbols instead of K,Q,R,B,N.
I think the "N" might signify a new line.
novelty.
The N means a novelty, perhaps not fully analyzed by modern theory
N means it's a Novelty, has not been played before
Those crosses are checks, not to be confused with + which is usually used to show an advantage, for example +- meaning white is winning
Dammit, timing, lol
OK. thanks for all your comments !!!
@ManlyLadyLumps, Huh, what are you talking about? I thought the symbol + was used to indicate a check when used in chess notation? Or am I wrong again? And what is this novelty thing? Never heard of it before. Sorry for all the questions.
The N is getting to be archaic, IMHO, and mean "Novelty"
It Cant mean novelty, how can there be a move 5 novelty???
Look in your your database, and see how many time you find that move?
Look in your your database, and see how many time you find that move?
just because i wouldnt find it doesnt mean its a novelty, actually i dont even have a database in the first place to look it up.
I really don't think that you should put too much credence in an author's use of "N" in analysis. I think that the notation matters in GM games since Carlsen playing an unknown move is a very interesting point on the game as it means either:
a) Carlsen has some crafty new preparation he is springing on hapless opponent
b) He just thought of something OTB and wants to see what happens.
c) He forgot (ok unlikely with Carlsen) what he is supposed to do. (This appears to have happened with Caruana yesterday).
cross is + (means check)
N must mean novelty after you read what follows it .... ""For the first time it is Hou Yifan that uncorks an idea that is good and new.""
