- Is ScanChess free?
- Signing up gives 10 free credits, enough for up to 10 board images or 5 scoresheet scans, with no card required. A board costs 1 credit and a scoresheet scan 2, however many pages the game has. The free tools need no account; reading a photo of a real board in the best move finder and asking for an AI explanation need a free account.
- Can it read a handwritten scoresheet?
- Yes. Upload the pages of one game in order and the moves are read, checked against the rules and shown beside the original, so a doubtful move can be fixed before you export the PGN. It reads algebraic notation; descriptive notation such as P-K4 is not converted.
- Which board images can I use?
- A screenshot of an online game, a diagram from a book or a clear top-down photo of a real board. You get an editable FEN and choose the side to move; angled photos and carved 3D pieces may need a square or two corrected.
- Why not just type the game into Lichess or Chess.com?
- Both import a PGN, but someone has to type it first, and a single typo stops the import. ScanChess turns the photo into that PGN, checks that every move is legal, and the result imports into Lichess, Chess.com or ChessBase.
- What do I get after scanning?
- The game is saved to your games library with its photo. Stockfish analysis is free and shows each side's accuracy and the turning points, and the AI coach explains them: one game a day free, then 1 credit. Missed tactics become daily practice (15 a day free), and your analyzed games build an insights profile. Pro adds opening repertoires, opponent scouting and event reports; Pro+ adds the club tools.