Best chess analysis software

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Avatar of Linus1969

Thank You misbah_6060. I tried it and liked it.

Avatar of skakaras

I use an ancient (and cheap) version of Fritz (Fritz 10), which allows me to create chess databases and to deep analyse a game with whatever analysis software I want (like Stockfish).
I am also very font of using the function "analyse threat."

I rely on the interface of the old Fritz 10 and use the program Stockfish, which I downloaded from the net.
When I play a game on Lichess or Chess.com, I run a fast analysis and download them to distinguish the most important phases of my game (opening phase, middle game and end game) and the landmark mistakes - deviations. 
Then, I copy my game onto a Fritz database and open it on Fritz interface. Afterwards, I start playing Bak, my game and use the notation to add notes and diagrams. 
Also, I use the unlimited analysis function to make Stockfish analyse a position as deep as possible (over 35 moves). Having understood when and how I made a mistake, I will run the "analyse threat" function to understand why the computer proposes a move and where this leads.
So, using the "analyse threat" function is very important; for me, it constitutes the other half of computer analysis and is the only way to understand why a proposed move has to be chosen instead of another.
"Analyse threat" can be found in Fritz's drop-down list when we right-click on the analysis board. It can also be found as a cross in Lichess on the right side of the analysis board on the upper part next to the evaluation number or by just hitting the X key.

Avatar of pawninfantry

If you’re serious about improving your chess openings, you might want to check out AiChessCoach.net. It’s free and super easy to use—you just enter your username from Lichess or Chess.com, and it’ll automatically pull in your recent games (up to 1000) and analyze them. It gives you personalized recommendations and points out repeated mistakes to help you level up. It’s been a game-changer for me, and I thought it might be helpful for others here, too!

Avatar of TRAvghan

Stockfish is one solution that can be used by both categories (budget-conscious and advanced players). Combine it with SCID or Arena GUI for a budget solution or go with Hiarcs Chess Explorer for advanced players. Fritz, Lichess analysis, and chess.com analysis are some more options that can be considered.

Avatar of xumoyun143

[Event "S_xumoyun vs. duck1with1hat"]

[Site "Chess.com"]

[Date "2025-12-26"]

[White "S_xumoyun"]

[Black "duck1with1hat"]

[Result "1-0"]

[WhiteElo "601"]

[BlackElo "539"]

[TimeControl "600"]

[Termination "S_xumoyun won by checkmate"]

1. e4 d5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Ng1 b6 4. e5 Ne4 5. Bd3 Bb7 6. f3 Nc5 7. f4 Nxd3+ 8. cxd3

d4 9. f5 g6 10. e6 fxe6 11. fxe6 Bxg2 12. Nf3 Bxh1 13. Ne5 Rg8 14. Qe2 Bg7 15.

Qf1 Bd5 16. Qf7# 1-0

Avatar of madratter7

It is costly but I like and use Chessbase. That said, none of the automated analysis tools is all that great for improving your game. They are good at telling you when you did something really good or really bad. They aren't good at telling you why you did it, and how to avoid doing it in the future. That requires a little work on your part.

As such, I think the best analysis tools are those that allow running an analysis but then allowing you to enter your own comments, lines, thinking, etc.

As another example of why the automated analysis is not enough on its own, all too often the computer alternate line or lines are not what I was worried about in the game. As such it is very useful to be able to go through, work out those lines, and add them into the comments.

Again, Chessbase is great at all of this, but it isn't a cheap tool. I bit the bullet and bought it. I decided that for me, good was much more important than cheap.

Avatar of TurkishChess_Fighter

I can use fritz only for some dollars, but it not the strongest, Stockfish is free and stronger

Avatar of madratter7
RassadinCHess wrote:

I can use fritz only for some dollars, but it not the strongest, Stockfish is free and stronger

The nice thing about both Fritz and Chessbase (I have Fritz 20 and Chessbase 26) is that both can use other engines for their analysis. And in fact, I do most of my analysis work in Chessbase using Stockfish 17.1.

Avatar of Viljanen123

Me and some friends are building a small - completeley FREE - very simple mobile-first PWA called AmberChess. (amberchess.app)
It helps you build and train your opening repertoire (your own lines), and it can also analyze PGNs with Stockfish (including games exported from Chess.com).

Any feedback is more than welcomed

game analisys
amberchess
Avatar of JBabkes

I agree with Madratter 7 recommending Chessbase for analysis and study. The software is not cheap but once you become competent in using it there is no substitute that offers its level of features and functionality.

Avatar of kiwimotard

A great software, definitely worth a try:  https://pguntermann.github.io/CARA/

Chess Analysis & Review Application. Quoted from the author:

'free open source macOS and Windows cross-platform chess analysis app CARA

CARA is completely free and open source (GPL-3.0). It focuses on post-game analysis and review—no playing or puzzle-solving, just understanding and improving your chess, or analyzing games from other players or grand masters.

Some of it's features include:

  • Automatic game analysis with UCI engines (Stockfish, HIARS , etc.)
  • Move classification (Good, Inaccuracy, Mistake, Blunder, Brilliancy)
  • Game summarry with statistics (accurancy, ACPL,..), evaluation graph, highlights
  • 44 automatic highlight rules for tactical and positional patterns
  • PGN database management with search and bulk operations
  • Player statistics across multiple games
  • Manual analysis with MultiPV support and piece trajectory visualization showing how pieces move through the engine's recommended plans
  • Free-form annotations

Pre-built pyInstaller Application bundles are available, or you can follow the manual installation.

For macOS users using the pre-built app bundle: macOS Gatekeeper blocks unsigned apps by default - see the installation section in the manual for steps to allow the app to run.'