.PGN File Extension

Portable Game Notation File

A PGN file contains moves of a chess game. It uses tags to specify game details like players and date. PGN files have a plain text format readable by humans and chess software. In 1993, Steven J. Edwa...

General Information

Title PGN File Extension
Extension .pgn
Full Form Portable Game Notation File
File Type Game Recording File
Developer Steven J. Edwards
MIME Type application/x-chess-pgn

File Function

Primary Function Store chess games
Additional Functions Replay moves, Analyze games
Features Text-based, Human-readable

File Characteristics

Quality Accurate, Standardized
Supports Layers N/A
Supports Transparency N/A
Editable Yes

Use Cases

Chess Analysis Yes
Tournament Records Yes
Chess Training Yes

Security and Practices

Security Risks Low risk
Best Practices Verify sources

Historical/Version Information

Initial Release Early 1990s
Latest Version Standardized by FIDE

Associated Types

Similar Extensions .fen, .cbh, .cbf

Software Compatibility

Software Usage Policy OS Compatibility
ChessBase Commercial Windows
Lichess Free Web-based
Chess.com Free, Premium Web-based, App