Online Tool Store
Chess PGN Viewer
Paste a PGN and step through the game move by move free, with variations, comments, board flipping, and no signup required.
π This tool runs entirely in your browser. Your files are never uploaded to a server.
Starting position
Tip: use the β and β arrow keys to step through the game.
No game loaded yet.
Runs entirely in your browser β nothing is uploaded. Supports standard SAN notation and PGN headers.
How the Chess PGN Viewer works
- Paste the PGN, including the header tags if you have them β they carry event, players and result.
- Step through with the move list, and follow variations where the annotator marked alternatives.
- Flip the board to view from the side you were playing, which makes your own mistakes far more legible.
FAQ
What is PGN?
Portable Game Notation β a plain-text standard for recording chess games, with tag headers for the event and players followed by the moves in algebraic notation. Almost every chess program reads and writes it.
Can it analyse the game?
No. It replays what the notation records. Analysis needs an engine, and reading a game without one first is arguably better practice β you form your own view before the engine gives you its.
What are variations in a PGN?
Alternative lines recorded in brackets, showing what could have been played instead. Annotators use them to explain why a move was chosen, and they are the most useful part of a well-annotated game.
Do I need to sign up or install anything?
No. Paste your PGN text directly into the viewer in your browser β there is no account, download, or plugin required.
Can I load a game exported from Chess.com or Lichess?
Yes. Both sites export standard PGN, which this viewer reads directly β paste the text as-is, header tags included.
Can I flip the board to see the position from Black's side?
Yes. Flipping the board shows the same position from the other player's perspective, which is useful for reviewing your own games.
How we compare
| Feature | Online Tool Store | A physical set | An app-store download |
|---|---|---|---|
| Variations and comments | β | Moves only | Yes |
| Board flipping | β | β | β |
| No account | β | β | β |
| Engine analysis | β | β | β |
Chess PGN Viewer replays and annotates rather than analysing, which is the right order β form a view before an engine hands you one.