Frequently Asked Questions

❓ Do I need to install anything?

No! Chess Analyst works entirely in your web browser. Just visit the website, upload your game, and start analyzing. Nothing to download or install.

📁 What's a PGN file?

PGN stands for "Portable Game Notation." It's a simple text file that contains all the moves from your chess game. Think of it like a recipe card that lists all the ingredients and steps - but for chess!

Every chess website (Chess.com, Lichess, etc.) can export games as PGN files.

♟️ How do I get my games to analyze?

After playing a game on Chess.com or Lichess:

• Chess.com: Go to your Archive, click the game, then "Share" → "Download PGN"
• Lichess: Click the game, then look for "Export" → "Download PGN"

See our complete guide for detailed steps!

✨ What's a good accuracy percentage?

It depends on your skill level:

• Beginners (under 1000): 60-75% is good
• Intermediate (1000-1500): 75-85% is solid
• Advanced (1500+): 85-95% is expected
• 90%+: Very strong play for any level!

Remember: losing doesn't mean low accuracy. You can play accurately and still lose!

🤔 Why does it show different moves than I played?

The computer is showing you better moves you could have played! When you see:

• "Played: Nf6" / "Best: Nf3" - The computer thinks Nf3 would have been better
• This is a learning opportunity to understand why that move was stronger

💥 What's the difference between a mistake and a blunder?

Inaccuracy (⚠️): A slightly weaker move, but not terrible (eval change ~0.3-1.0)

Mistake (❌): A clearly worse move that hurts your position (eval change ~1.0-3.0)

Blunder (💥): A very bad move that seriously damages your position (eval change 3.0+)

📊 What do the evaluation numbers mean?

The numbers show who's winning:

• +2.5: White is winning by about 2.5 pawns of advantage
• -1.8: Black is winning by about 1.8 pawns of advantage
• 0.0: Perfectly equal position
• +/- 1.0: Small advantage
• +/- 3.0: Significant advantage (likely winning)

⏱️ How long does analysis take?

Usually 30 seconds to 2 minutes, depending on:

• Game length: Longer games take more time
• Analysis depth: Higher depth = more accurate but slower
• Server load: How many people are analyzing at once

For most games, 1-2 minutes is normal.

🎯 Should I analyze all my games?

Recommended: Focus on analyzing games where:

• You lost but don't understand why
• You won but felt like you struggled
• The game felt close and competitive
• You made moves you're unsure about

Skip: Quick blitz games with obvious blunders, or games where one player disconnected.

🎓 I see my mistakes - now what?

Great question! Here's how to actually improve:

1. Click on the mistake to see coaching tips
2. Try to understand WHY the suggested move was better
3. Look for patterns: Do you keep making the same type of mistake?
4. Practice: Work on chess tactics if you're missing captures
5. Study openings: If you struggle in the opening phase

The goal isn't to memorize the "right" move - it's to understand the thinking behind it!

🆓 Is this really free?

Yes! Chess Analyst is completely free to use. Analyze as many games as you want.

This is an open-source project made by chess enthusiasts who want to help everyone improve their game.

💻 Can I use this on my phone?

Yes! The website is mobile-friendly. However, for the best experience (especially viewing the interactive board and graph), we recommend using it on a tablet or computer.

🔒 Is my game data private?

Your uploaded games are analyzed and then immediately deleted from the server. We don't store your games or personal information.

🤖 Can the computer be wrong?

Stockfish (the engine we use) is one of the strongest in the world - stronger than any human player. However:

• At lower analysis depths, it might miss some things
• In very complex positions, different engines might slightly disagree
• The "best move" might not match your personal style

For practical purposes, trust the analysis - it's extremely reliable!

📚 I want to learn more about chess!

Great! Here are some resources:

• Chess.com and Lichess both have free lessons
• Do tactics puzzles daily (5-10 minutes)
• Watch chess YouTubers explain games
• Play slower games (15+10 or longer) to think more
• Most importantly: Analyze every game you play!

🐛 I found a bug / have feedback

We'd love to hear from you! This is an open-source project, so you can:

• Report issues on GitHub
• Contribute improvements
• Suggest new features