What is the PGN file?

What is the PGN file and how do I use this to help with my chess. Thanks for the help.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portable_Game_Notation

How does it help?

- Diff. chess software use this as a common format for storing games of chess.

- Only relevant / helpful if you move PGN files around between diff. computers you use to play chess or are managing a chess database using software, where you usually import/export PGNs stuff like opening repertoires, review games etc.

Thanks for the reply. So if I were to take one of my games, in a pgn format, and load it into a chess engine, it would analyze my game?

Sure.

First get a chess app. that loads PGNs ... then find an engine, plug it into the chess app. and analyze away.

A simple google-able way to get you there:

1. Download SCID (Chess database) application
2. Download Houdini (engine)
3. Plug Houdini into SCID
4. Load PGN file of a game you played
5. Analyze away!

Thanks for all the help Shivsky!!!

How to Plug Houdini into SCID???????

A little bit of fingers and a lot of google should do the trick.

http://www.playwitharena.com/?Download:Arena_3.0