About ChessStep

Review a game. Save a mistake. Practice it again.

ChessStep is an independent chess study project for players who want something useful to take away from a finished game. Our focus is the connection between reviewing a decision and returning to it later, rather than a promise of a higher rating.

What you can do

• Review a PGN game with a replay board and browser-based Stockfish analysis.
• Retry saved positions or start with short guided lessons.
• Practice endgames against Stockfish, with hints and takebacks.
• Play the computer or invite a friend to a 10+5 game and keep a replay.

How analysis works

Stockfish powers our analysis and endgame practice. For full games, choose Maia 3 for human-style move predictions or Stockfish for engine play. Both run in your browser. Review currently searches a limited number of nodes per position; a deeper search may change its evaluation. Move labels and short explanations help you find a moment worth examining. They do not reveal why you made a decision.

Bot difficulty settings are not calibrated Elo ratings. Maia uses reference ratings to condition its predictions; these are not measured playing strengths. Our tools are practice aids, not a substitute for individualized teaching. ChessStep is not affiliated with Chess.com or endorsed by the Stockfish project.

Our editorial approach

ChessStep editorial team is the product’s editorial byline. We use worked positions and reproducible PGN examples, check their legality with chess.js, and distinguish product features from training suggestions. We do not claim a titled coach has reviewed these guides. Articles show their publication date, link to relevant references, and are updated when the underlying instructions change.

Start with our chess guides. If you find an incorrect move or outdated instruction, please send a correction with the page and position.

Your records

Guests can use review, starter practice, endgames, and bot games. Learning records remain on that device until you sign in and sync them. Friend rooms require an account. Read how data is stored before using a shared device.