ChessPigeonFrequently asked questions
Short answers about cost, accounts, devices, imports, storage, evaluations and Classroom. Each answer links to the full instructions.
Getting started
Is ChessPigeon free?
Yes. Analysis, Classroom and Play are free to use.
Do I need an account?
No. Account sign-in isn't available yet, and everything works without it. Games you save are kept in your browser on this device.
Which devices and browsers can I use?
ChessPigeon works in current desktop and mobile browsers. On touch screens you move pieces by tapping. Drawing arrows and highlights needs a mouse or trackpad.
Does ChessPigeon work offline?
No. ChessPigeon loads from the web, so you need a connection to open it. Once a game is open, Stockfish runs inside your browser to review it. Chess.com imports, Classroom lessons and games against friends always need a connection.
Where should I start?
Follow Your first game review. It takes a few minutes and ends with a reviewed game.
Games and analysis
What can I import?
You can paste or upload PGN (including collections of up to 500 games), FEN, EPD and ChessPigeon JSON archives. Files can be .pgn, .fen, .epd, .json or .txt, up to 5 MB. You can also find your completed standard games on Chess.com by username.
Only standard chess is supported. Importing and exporting games
Can I import games from Lichess?
There's no direct Lichess import. Download the game as a PGN file from Lichess, then import that file into ChessPigeon.
Why is my accuracy different from Chess.com's?
Every site uses its own engine settings and its own accuracy formula. ChessPigeon's accuracy estimates how much winning chance each player lost at your chosen review depth, so it won't match Chess.com's score. Understanding game review
Why can the evaluation change between reviews?
Results depend on the review depth in Settings (Fast, Balanced, Deep or Max) and on how far the engine searches. A deeper review can find moves a faster one missed, so a number or a move label can shift slightly.
What do the plus and minus numbers mean?
The evaluation graph and engine lines use White's perspective: +1.0 means White is about a pawn better, and −1.0 means Black is. Mate scores appear as +M3 or −M3. The number on the evaluation bar follows the board, so it shows Black's view when you flip the board.
How do I share an analysis?
Choose Share analysis, then Copy link. The game, its variations and the review are packed into the link itself, so nothing is uploaded. Anyone with the link can open it. If a game is too large for a link, download the PGN instead.
Classroom
Do my students need an account?
No. They open your invitation link, type a name and select Join classroom. Running your first lesson
Who can join my lesson?
Anyone who has the invitation link, so share it privately. Names aren't verified, and a lesson can hold up to 50 participants. New participants start as Watching until you give them White, Black or the full board.
How long does a lesson last?
A lesson stays open for up to six hours after it is created, or until you end it for everyone. The lesson timer is only a reminder; it doesn't close the lesson.
What happens if I close the lesson tab?
Your place in the lesson belongs to that browser tab. Reloading keeps it, but opening the invitation in a new tab or on another device joins as a new participant who starts as Watching. This also applies to the coach, so keep the coach's tab open until the lesson is over.
Why does the board say Coach is editing?
The coach has opened the piece drawer to arrange a position. Students can pick up pieces, but attempted moves snap back and briefly blink the editing message coral. Moves resume after the coach closes the drawer and the edits finish. Chat and flipping your own board still work. Position-editing help
Can we keep the games from a lesson?
Yes. Everyone can download lesson games as PGN during the lesson and after it ends. Saving to the library requires legal positions; ask the coach to correct any incomplete setup first.
Several students from one school see “Too many requests”. Why?
To protect the service, joins from a single network are limited. If many students join from the same network at once, ask them to wait a minute and try again.
Data
Where are my games stored?
When you save a game, it's stored in your browser on this device. Your settings are stored there too. ChessPigeon doesn't upload your games to review them, because Stockfish runs in your browser. Saving and storage
What happens if I clear my browser data?
Clearing site data for ChessPigeon deletes your saved games and settings from that browser, and they can't be recovered. Before clearing it, use Export game to download a PGN backup of the games you want to keep.
Is my open game saved automatically?
The game you are working on is kept in the current tab, so it survives a reload. It isn't in your library until you select Save game, and closing the tab discards it.
What is stored about a Classroom lesson?
To keep everyone in sync, a lesson's games, drawings, chat, names and roles are stored on ChessPigeon's servers until the lesson expires. Privacy policy
Does ChessPigeon track me?
ChessPigeon measures page visits and loading performance. See what information is collected and how it is used in the privacy policy.
Didn't find your answer?
The support page explains how to reach us and what to include so we can reproduce a problem.