How to Analyze a Chess Game – A Step by Step Guide for Beginners

Whether you are 800 or 1800, this is it chess analysis for beginners done right—and the scale will increase as you improve. Along the way we will use PGN/FEN hooks, a simple checklist, and a few tools so you can analyzing chess games position like a professional.

Why Analyzing Chess Games Is Important

There’s no quicker way to turn chaos into clarity through post-game reflection. When you write down what you think, and only then enter the machine, you will know how to skip a move, and how to do it next time. That’s the essence of how to analyze chess games and build self-confidence.

It’s also a strategy that gives you repeated chess game review sessions that help measurably improve your chess strategy—you’ll see which themes (timing issues, missed tactics, weak squares) are most common, and then work on them during training. Want an easy win? Keep a small notebook next to the board to familiarize yourself with. In terms of equipment, please refer to us Chess Accessories (scorebook, pen) and Chess Clock.

Step-by-Step Process for Analyzing a Chess Game

A good routine is two passes, the first a short review in the freshness of the game and the second a deeper one later on. The following is the structure I recommend.

Step 1 — Rebuilding the game without an engine (5–15 minutes)

Record your real thoughts and replay the game in front of any computer. This preserves the “why” you make each decision and shows the gaps you will close in the future. Highlight key moments (moves you’ve wasted time on, felt uncertain about, or the evaluation went wrong). Save the FEN for each.

Recommendations for writing: “What I counted…”, “What I missed…”, “What scares me…”, “My plan is…”.

PGN block starts:

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 3…a6 1/2-1/2

Example of FEN (critical moment):
r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2n2n2/1B1pp3/3P4/2P2N2/PP1N1PPP/R1BQ1RK1 w – – 0 10

Step 2 — Opening a sanity check (5–10 minutes)

Then figure out where you faltered in your preparations and where first principles failed: central control, development, or king safety. Note one adjustment to your repertoire (After 6…Bg4 I will prepare h3 And Qe2 next time). You can review it at Chess.com, and Game Review/Flow analysis will let you see opening tabs and moving tags, and even turn off the best automatic steps to think in advance.

Step 3 — Middlegame: critical moments & pawn structure

Now zoom in on the turning points: pawn activity, weak squares, pawn breaks you ignored, or trades where you made inaccurate judgments. Ask one question at a time: Ask one question at a time: What is the bishop’s best plan vs trade? This can be used to analyze further chess moves in the future.

Step 4 — End of game snapshot (tablebase truth for simple ending)

A late-game check even pays off in the short term. Redundancy (R+P vs R, small piece races, opposing bishops) and correctness (with a 7 piece Syzygy table base if available) must be checked by Save FENs. They provide an ideal game with ≤7 pieces—great for testing your intuition.

Step 5 — Light machine pass (15–25 minutes)

Just after your notes. Enable MultiPV (e.g. 3 rows) at medium depth so that you don’t see a single arrow. Stockfish 17.1 is modern and open source; it can be used locally or via an online application. Game Reviews on Chess.com support showing the best moves, and Analysis and Study Boards on Lichess. Learn the technique of reading chess analysis by concentrating on concepts: important squares, tactical patterns, vulnerable structures–not the best moves.

Step 6 — Extract the lesson → plan for next week

Finish by turning each of your major mistakes into a habit or practice. Example: “Missed opponent play → scan/capture/threat check always after the candidate moves. Include 10-15 themed puzzles or mini repertoire fixes based on the mistakes you make. Analyzing OTB, a convenient way Chessboard, can be seen Chess Pieces, or complete Chess Set useful.

Key Elements to Focus on During Analysis

That’s always a good idea to keep in mind What You measure and Why before creating a checklist. The following are the items that drive your rating.

Tools to Help You Analyze Chess Games

The options are numerous, but a few reliable and well-documented options that meet most needs are listed below.

Chess.com Game Reviews / Analysis. There’s convenient gameplay after ending, moving classes, opening tabs, and the ability to hide your “best move” until you’re ready. Fast mobile and web feedback.

Liches Analysis & Studies. 100% free analysis board, Powerful study to save notes, arrows, chapters and share with coaches or friends.

stock fish 17.1. World open source engine that can be run on your computer (choose your GUI). Medium depth and MultiPV should be used to maintain learning and not just copy one line.

The bonus: A simple end game? Verify with Syzygy base table for the perfect answer.

Common Mistakes When Analyzing Chess Games

You will make a list of pitfalls, but before you do, remember: you will succeed process better, not just your movements. Avoid these quickly:

• You will learn less and forget what you were thinking, so start the engine first.

• Collect variations and nothing is decided—there is always one training action to overcome the error.

• Ignore timing and psychology—see where you are rushing or panicking.

• Skipping the end game—a simple in-position tablebase check builds clean intuition.

Practical Tips for Improving Through Analysis

Regularity is a better substitute than marathons. Conduct a brief 10-20 minute self-assessment immediately after the game followed by a thorough 45-60 minute assessment the next day while you rest. Keep a weekly “Mistakes → Habits” journal and review it. If you need structured reading and analysis, you can try our in-house explanations Algebraic Notation and a practical overview of Best Chess Strategy to see patterns.

General Questions

How do you analyze your own chess game?

Rebuild the movement without a machine, mark critical moments, then run a light engine pass to verify ideas and write down one training habit for each mistake. Save FEN for repeat motifs.

Should beginners use chess engines for analysis?

Yes—but only after self note. Use MultiPV and hide the automatic best move reveal for you to learn how to read chess analysis (first idea, second arrow).

What is the best way to analyze chess moves?

Ask yourself Why your move doesn’t work, mention other options, then confirm with Stockfish or an online analysis board. Make your notes clear and concise.

How long should I spend analyzing a chess game?

About 15 minutes for immediate self-review, and 45–60 minutes for deeper reflection when taking a break—especially after tournament play.

What tools do professional players use to analyze games?

Excellent local engines like Stockfish, and online analysis repositories and sharing tools like Chess.com Game Review/Analysis and Lichess Studies.

Conclusion

You don’t need to spend hours or even have a PhD in engineering to learn your game, you just need one simple spin that you will actually repeat. Get started today: chess game analysis with a quick walkthrough, light engine check, and a realistic plan for the week ahead. Just that.