Build Up Your Chess Pgn -

A folder of 2,000 PGNs you never open is useless. Instead, build three core PGN files:

💡 Pro tip: Use a tool like ChessBase, Scid vs PC, or Lichess Studies (exports PGN) to manage these.

A PGN file isn’t just a record — it’s a training partner that scales with you.

Start today. Take your last three losses, put them in My Games.pgn with honest comments, and watch your rating respond. build up your chess pgn

Your future self — at the board, low on time — will be glad you did.

Want a ready-to-use template for your Opening PGN or a weekly review checklist? Let me know, and I’ll send you a follow-up.

The following essay explores the philosophy and practice of building a personal Portable Game Notation (PGN) library, drawing on the training methods popularized by Grandmaster Artur Yusupov's "Build Up Your Chess" series. A folder of 2,000 PGNs you never open is useless

The Architect’s Archive: The Art and Strategy of the Chess PGN

In the digital age, a chess player's growth is often measured not by the weight of their library, but by the organization of their PGN (Portable Game Notation) files. Devised in 1993 by Steven J. Edwards, PGN was designed as a "universal portable representation" to allow humans to read and computers to parse the narrative of a chess game. Yet, beyond its technical utility, building a personal PGN database is an act of intellectual architecture—a way to "build up" one’s chess by categorizing the chaos of 64 squares into a structured path toward mastery. The Foundation: Yusupov’s Blueprint

The concept of "building up" one's chess is famously epitomized by Grandmaster Artur Yusupov’s training course, which mirrors the systematic rigor of the Soviet chess school. For the modern student, translating these paper lessons into a digital PGN database is a transformative exercise. 💡 Pro tip: Use a tool like ChessBase

A raw PGN is just a skeleton. To give it flesh, you must annotate. This is where the "build up" happens.

  • Engine Check: Run an engine over your games to find the moments where the evaluation bar swung wildly (the "critical moments"). Mark these positions. These are the lessons you need to learn.

    • A folder full of PGNs is fine, but a database unlocks superpowers. Tools like SCID vs. PC, ChessBase Reader (free), or Lichess studies allow you to:

    A cluttered hard drive is the enemy of progress. As you build up your PGN, organization is key. Most database software (like ChessBase, Scid vs PC, or ChessBase Online) relies on tags. Ensure your games are properly tagged:

    Pro Tip: Create a "Repertoire" PGN. This file should contain only games played by strong players in the specific lines you intend to play. This turns a database of millions into a focused textbook of just a few hundred key positions.