PGN

**PGN (Portable Game Notation)**

PGN, or Portable Game Notation, is a standardized text format used to represent chess games and other board games in a machine-readable and human-readable way. Developed in the 1990s, PGN was designed to overcome the limitations of earlier notation systems, such as the lack of a universal format for storing game data.

PGN games are typically saved as text files with a `.pgn` extension. Each game is structured with a header section containing information like the player names, event details, and site of the game. The main body of the game follows, using standard chess notation to describe moves, including algebraic notation, notation for castling, en passant captures, and pawn promotions. PGN also supports annotations, such as comments and evaluations, allowing players and software to add notes to specific moves.

One of the key advantages of PGN is its compatibility with various chess engines and analysis tools. Programs like ChessBase, Lichess, and Arena can read, edit, and analyze PGN files. Additionally, PGN is widely used in online chess platforms, where games are often shared and stored in this format.

PGN also extends to other board games, such as draughts (checkers), shogi, and go, though its application varies depending on the game's specific rules and notation conventions. The format remains a fundamental tool for preserving and sharing game data across different platforms and applications.