PGN (Portable Game Notation) is a standardized format used for storing and sharing chess games. Most chess programs support this format. If you don’t have a chess program installed on your computer, you can use an online or offline PGN viewer.

How to view PGN files?

For offline use:

We suggest using ChessX (LINK).

ChessX is a free and open-source chess database software that allows you to manage and analyze chess games. It supports PGN (Portable Game Notation) files, which are a standard way of representing chess games in text form.

How do I download ChessX?

You can download ChessX from the official website at https://sourceforge.net/projects/chessx/. Click on the “Download” button on the home page and download will automatically start from your browser.

What operating systems are supported by ChessX?

ChessX is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.

How do I install ChessX? 

The installation process for ChessX varies depending on your operating system. For Windows and macOS, simply run the installer and follow the prompts. Instructions for all three operating systems are available on the ChessX website.

How do I open a PGN file in ChessX? 

To open a PGN file in ChessX, simply click on the “Open” button in the toolbar or go to “File” > “Open”. Browse to the location of the PGN file on your computer and select it. The game(s) in the file will be loaded into the game list.

Is ChessX free? 

Yes, ChessX is free and open-source software released under the GNU General Public License. You can use it, modify it, and distribute it as you wish. However, donations are always appreciated to support the development of the software.

For online use:

We recommend Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer (LINK). Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer is a web-based tool that allows you to view PGN files online. It is free and easy to use, and requires no installation or download.

How do I access Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer? 

You can access Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer by clicking on this link: https://www.chesstempo.com/pgn-viewer.html.

How do I upload a PGN file to Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer?

To upload a PGN file to Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer, click on the upload arrow button in the bottom left corner and select the PGN file from your computer. Then, select the PGN file from your computer and click on the open button to upload the file.

How do I view the PGN file in Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer?

Once you have uploaded the PGN file, the games in the file will be displayed in the viewer. You can navigate through the games by using the arrow buttons, or by clicking on the game in the list on the left-hand side.

Is Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer free?

Yes, Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer is completely free to use.

Do I need to create an account to use Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer? 

No, you do not need to create an account to use Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer. You can simply access the tool through the link provided above and start using it immediately.

I hope this FAQ helps you in using Chess Tempo’s PGN viewer to view PGN files online. Happy chess viewing!

Note:

Please note that if your PGN file is compressed (e.g. in ZIP format), you will need to extract it before using it with any PGN viewer. You can find more information on how to do this in the following video tutorial: LINK.

If you have purchased one of our paid courses, the required software will be included with the course. Simply run the graphical menu of the course (file “autorun.exe”) and follow the instructions to install the necessary software.