Is AnkouChess free?
Yes. All features are free with no limitations. There are no premium plans, no hidden fees, and no ads. Game analysis, puzzle training, and the position editor are all available at no cost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about AnkouChess and how it works.
Questions and Answers
Do I need to create an account?
No. You can analyze games and solve puzzles without signing up. Creating an optional account lets you track your puzzle solving history and see your progress over time.
What chess engine powers the analysis?
Stockfish, one of the strongest chess engines available. It's open-source and consistently ranks at the top of computer chess ratings. The engine runs locally in your browser using WebAssembly, so your games are never sent to external servers.
Can I analyze games from Chess.com or Lichess?
Yes. Copy the PGN from any chess platform and paste it into the analysis page. AnkouChess supports standard PGN format used by Chess.com, Lichess, and other platforms.
How accurate is the analysis?
Stockfish runs at sufficient depth to catch mistakes, blunders, and missed tactics in your games. The analysis depth is good enough for practical improvement at all skill levels. For each error, you'll see what the best move would have been.
Does it work on mobile devices?
Yes. The interface adapts to any screen size and works in any modern browser. You can analyze games, solve puzzles, and use the position editor on your phone or tablet.
What is a PGN file?
PGN (Portable Game Notation) is the standard format for recording chess games. It contains all the moves of a game in text format. You can export PGN from Chess.com, Lichess, or any chess platform, then paste it into AnkouChess for analysis.
What is FEN notation?
FEN (Forsyth-Edwards Notation) describes a chess position in a single line of text. You can import FEN into the position editor to analyze any specific position. It's useful for studying positions from chess books or setting up custom scenarios.
How do the daily puzzles work?
A new puzzle is available every day. Each puzzle is a tactical position from a real game where you need to find the winning move. You can also share the daily puzzle link with friends to compete. Practice mode offers unlimited puzzles for continuous training.
Is my data private?
Yes. Game analysis runs entirely in your browser using WebAssembly. Your games and positions are never uploaded to external servers. If you create an account, only your puzzle solving history is stored to track your progress.