What is a PGN File

PGN (Portable Game Notation) is the standard text-based file format for recording chess games, allowing computers and software to read, store, and analyze them. It includes move sequences in algebraic notation, alongside metadata (players, date, result). PGN files can be imported/exported on sites like

FEN (Forsyth-Edwards Notation) is a standard text-based format used to describe a specific position on a chessboard. It allows a complete board setup—including piece positions, turn, castling rights, and move counts—to be represented in a single line of ASCII text. 

Chess.com

Chess.com

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FEN is primarily used to restart a game from a specific position or to share puzzles, and it is widely supported by chess engines, websites, and databases. 

My Spreadsheet Lab

My Spreadsheet Lab

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Structure of a FEN String

A FEN string consists of six fields separated by spaces, representing the 8 ranks of the board from top (8th) to bottom (1st): 

Chess.com

Chess.com

Piece Placement: Describes the board row by row, using letters (p, r, n, b, q, k for black; uppercase for white). Numbers (1-8) represent consecutive empty squares.

Active Color: Indicates whose turn it is (w for white, b for black).

Castling Rights: Shows available castling options (Kk for kingside, Qq for queenside). - if none.

En Passant Target Square: The square behind a pawn that just moved two steps, formatted as algebraic notation (e.g., e3), or - if not applicable.

Halfmove Clock: Number of half-moves since the last capture or pawn advance, used for the 50-move draw rule.

Fullmove Number: The total number of moves in the game, starting at 1 and incrementing after black moves. 

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Chess.com

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Example of FEN

Initial Position: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/8/8/PPPPPPPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 0 1

After 1. e4: rnbqkbnr/pppppppp/8/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR b KQkq e3 0 1 

FEN vs. PGN

FEN (Forsyth-Edwards Notation): A snapshot of a single position.

PGN (Portable Game Notation): A record of all moves played in a game. 

Chess.com

Chess.com

Key Uses

Chess Engines: Computers use FEN to evaluate positions.

Sharing Positions: Easily sharing a unique position in forums or articles.

Training/Analysis: Coaches use FEN to set up specific scenarios for students.

Chess960: FEN is essential for setting up non-standard starting positions

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