PGN

Open a PGN file in any text editor and you see a few lines in square brackets, then the moves. A header line looks like [White "Name"] or [Result "1-0"]. The standard set of seven tags gives the event, site, date, round, both players and the result. A blank line follows, then the move text in algebraic notation as defined in Appendix C of the Laws, with numbered moves such as 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3, closed by the result: 1-0, 0-1, 1/2-1/2, or an asterisk when the game is unfinished. Those results echo the Laws' scoring of one point, no points or half a point. Curly braces hold comments and round brackets hold side variations, so a coach can annotate a game inside the very same file. PGN itself is a software convention, not part of the Laws, but the Laws require players to record their moves in algebraic notation, so a scoresheet maps neatly onto it. The FIDE Title Regulations ask the report of a title tournament to include a PGN file: the games of players with title results for Swiss and team events, and all games otherwise. For your own improvement, save every serious game as PGN and keep the folder, because your own games are the most relevant study material you have.

It sits close to Annotation symbols. Annotation symbols are the short marks added to written moves, such as + for check, # for checkmate, x for a capture and (=) for a draw offer, along with commentators' marks like ! and ?.

A neighboring idea is Disambiguation. Disambiguation is the extra letter or number added to a written move when two identical pieces can move to the same square, such as Nbd2 or R1e2, so the move reads only one way.

It sits close to FEN. FEN is a compact line of text that records a chess position: the pieces rank by rank, whose turn it is, castling rights, any en passant square, and two move counters.

Knowing "PGN" is the easy part; what to practice next depends on your rating, and the improvement plans by rating band list the habits worth building at each level.

Related terms

• FEN

  FEN is a compact line of text that records a chess position: the pieces rank by rank, whose turn it is, castling rights, any en passant square, and two move counters.

• Algebraic notation

  Algebraic notation is the standard system for recording chess moves, naming each square by file letter and rank number and each move by the piece letter and destination square, as in Nf3 or exd5.

• Scoresheet

  A scoresheet is the paper or electronic form on which each player writes down all the moves of the game in algebraic notation, and which both players sign or approve at the end to confirm the result.

• Annotation symbols

  Annotation symbols are the short marks added to written moves, such as + for check, # for checkmate, x for a capture and (=) for a draw offer, along with commentators' marks like ! and ?.

• Disambiguation

  Disambiguation is the extra letter or number added to a written move when two identical pieces can move to the same square, such as Nbd2 or R1e2, so the move reads only one way.

• Database

  A chess database is a searchable collection of games, stored in a standard format, that lets a player look up positions, study opponents, and see how often moves have been played and what results they scored.

Guides that go further

• How to choose a chess coach

  What to decide first, the questions to ask, what a first lesson should show and the red flags to avoid.

• How much does chess coaching cost?

  Published rates for private, group and subscription chess coaching, with the source and the date of each.

• The first lesson

  A game review, a read on your level and a written study plan from George Li.

Sources

• FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Article 8.1.1.1, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Appendix C, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Laws of Chess (effective 1 January 2023), Article 10.1, read Oct 21, 2026.
• FIDE Handbook B01 FIDE Title Regulations (effective 1 January 2024), Article 1.9.1, read Oct 21, 2026.