What is PGN in Chess?
PGN: The Universal Language in Chess
If you’ve spent any time playing chess online or analyzing your own games, chances are you’ve come across something called a PGN file.
Maybe you copied it from Lichess. Maybe a coach asked you to send it over. Maybe you saw a wall of brackets and moves and thought, “Looks important… no idea what this means.”
No worries—we’ve got you covered.
In this guide, you’ll learn what PGN is, why it’s useful, and how to start using it to level up your chess!
What is PGN?
PGN stands for Portable Game Notation—a standardized, plain-text format for recording chess games. It was introduced in the early 1990s and quickly became the default way to store, share, and study chess games.
At its core, PGN makes it easy to document and replay games in a format that works across platforms. Whether you’re analyzing Carlsen’s World Championship prep or reviewing your own bullet game from last night, PGN gives you a clean, universal format to work with.
Understanding the PGN Format
A PGN file has two main parts:
- Tags: Information about the game (e.g., players, date, event, result).
- Moves: The actual moves played, recorded in algebraic notation.
Here’s a quick example:
[Event "FIDE World Championship 2021"]
[Site "Dubai UAE"]
[Date "2021.12.07"]
[Round "9.1"]
[White "Nepomniachtchi, Ian"]
[Black "Carlsen, Magnus"]
[Result "0-1"]
[WhiteFideId "4168119"]
[BlackFideId "1503014"]
[WhiteElo "2782"]
[BlackElo "2855"]
1. c4 e6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 d4 4. Nf3 Nc6 5. O-O Bc5 6. d3 Nf6 7. Nbd2 a5 8. Nb3 Be7 9. e3 dxe3 10. Bxe3 Ng4 11. Bc5 O-O 12. d4 a4 13. Bxe7 Qxe7 14. Nc5 a3 15. bxa3 Rd8 16. Nb3 Nf6 17. Re1 Qxa3 18. Qe2 h6 19. h4 Bd72. Ne5 Be8 21. Qe3 Qb4 22. Reb1 Nxe5 23. dxe5 Ng4 24. Qe1 Qxe1+ 25. Rxe1 h5 26. Bxb7 Ra4 27. c5 c6 28. f3 Nh6 29. Re4 Ra7 30. Rb4 Rb8 31. a4 Raxb7 32. Rb6 Rxb6 33. cxb6 Rxb6 34. Nc5 Nf5 35. a5 Rb8 36. a6 Nxg3 37. Na4 c5 38. a7 Rd8 39.Nxc5 Ra8 0-1
Each [Tag “Value”] line adds context. Then, the move list tells the story of the game from start to finish.
It’s simple, elegant, and powerful.
PGN vs FEN: What’s the Difference?
You may have also come across something called FEN (Forsyth–Edwards Notation).
• FEN captures a single position. Use it to analyze a moment, set up a tactic, or revisit a key decision.
• PGN is used to store entire games. Perfect for studying full openings, reviewing mistakes, or saving your matches.
If FEN is a single frame, PGN is a whole movie. 🎬♟️
👉 For a deeper dive into FEN, check out this blog post.
How to Create PGNs
Good news: you probably already have dozens!
Most major chess platforms—like Lichess, Chess.com, or ChessBase—automatically create PGNs for every game you play. You can usually find a “Download PGN” or “Copy PGN” option after any game.
Want to create one manually? Just open an analysis board on your favorite chess platform—every move and variation you play will be automatically recorded into a PGN, ready to export with a single click.
PGN Meets Noctie: Train Smarter
PGNs are more than just a digital notebook. With Noctie, the world’s most humanlike chess AI, they become powerful training tools.
Here are two killer ways to use PGNs in Noctie:
1. ⚔ Sparring Scenarios
Got a critical position from your own game—or a master game you want to study? Import its PGN as a Theme in Noctie and play it out against an AI that plays like a real human. It’s like putting yourself right back into the moment of truth!
2. 📖 Opening Repertoires
Tired of memorizing lines and forgetting them over the board? Import your PGN opening repertoire into Noctie and practice it like a real game. Noctie plays your opponent’s lines —testing your understanding, not just your memory.
It’s real, interactive training. Not just rote memorization.
You’ll even get flashcards for missed lines so you can focus your study where it counts.
Final Thoughts: PGN Is Your Chess Passport
PGN might look like plain text—but it’s your passport to a deeper, smarter chess experience. Whether you’re analyzing your mistakes, building your first repertoire, or studying the greats—PGN gives you the format to own your improvement.
So grab your latest PGN, load it into your favorite chess learning tool, and start turning games into growth!
Want to practice any position—or an entire opening—against a human-like bot?
Next time you reach a critical moment in a game, don’t just move on. Grab the PGN and load it into Noctie—the world’s most human-like chess AI, built to help you improve faster. You can replay key moments, learn openings, and sharpen your decision-making under realistic pressure.
Want to go deeper with your openings? Export your repertoire as a PGN file and spar with a bot that plays exactly within your chosen lines. It’s a powerful way to reinforce theory through experience.
🛠️ Need help getting started?
• How to create sparring positions from PGNs
• How to create opening repertoires in Noctie