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ScanChess – Digitize handwritten chess scorebooks and diagrams into PGN/FEN

ScanChess, a new AI-powered tool, digitizes handwritten chess scoresheets and diagrams into PGN/FEN formats by photographing them, transcribing moves with rule validation, and flagging uncertain entries for review. The tool exports standard .pgn files compatible with Lichess, Chess.com, ChessBase, and SCID, processing a full game in under a minute.

read2 min views12 publishedSep 9, 2026
ScanChess – Digitize handwritten chess scorebooks and diagrams into PGN/FEN
Image: source

Snap a photo of your chess scoresheet. ScanChess transcribes every move, checks each one against the rules, marks what it is unsure about, and hands you an editable PGN that works with Lichess, Chess.com, or your analysis tool.

From paper to PGN in three steps #

No typing, no manual transcription, no learning curve.

Photograph the scoresheet

A clear, flat, well-lit photo is all it takes — phone or scanner, no app to install.

AI reads every move

ScanChess transcribes the notation and validates each move against the board as it goes.

Review & export

Fix flagged moves in the editor, then download your game or replay it move by move.

Everything you need to digitize your games #

Reads your handwriting

AI OCR turns a photo of a handwritten scoresheet into algebraic notation — messy pen included, with anything uncertain marked for your review.

Catches mistakes

Every move is rule-checked and editable: illegal or low-confidence entries are flagged so you can confirm them before you export.

Exports standard PGN

Download a standard .pgn file that opens in Lichess, Chess.com, ChessBase, or SCID.

Faster than typing it

A whole game usually comes back in well under a minute. Checking the few flagged moves takes far less time than typing the game out.

Guides on notation & PGN #

[All articles](/blog)

[Comparison7 min](/blog/chessvision-ai-vs-scanchess)

Chess Vision Tools Compared: Chessvision.ai vs ScanChess

Both tools point a camera at chess and hand you notation, but they read different objects. One turns a diagram into a position; the other turns a page of handwriting into a game.

Tools4 min

Free Printable Chess Scoresheets: Official FIDE Formats, 60 & 80 Moves, and Kids Templates

Everything you need to know about official tournament chess scoresheets: choose between standard 60-move, 80-move classical, junior, and rapid layouts, customize headers, print sharp PDFs, and digitize with AI.

Guides5 min

How to Read a Chess Scoresheet: A Beginner's Guide

Move numbers on the left, White in the middle, Black on the right: how a scoresheet is organized, what each symbol means, and how the result is recorded.

Ready to digitize your scoresheets? #

Upload your first game and get a rule-checked, editable PGN in seconds.

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