The chess database that runs in your browser
A modern alternative to desktop database software — on Mac, Windows and Linux. Organise your games and repertoires like files, search over 11 million top-rated games, and prep any opponent — with Stockfish 18 built in. Nothing to install.
A modern interface built this decade. Search any position, build a repertoire in a day — instead of weeks of tutorials and slow, aged filters.
Your library, folders and analysis live in the cloud. Open the same workspace from any browser on Mac, Windows or Linux — nothing to install.
11M+ master and rated games, engine-vs-engine lines at 3500+ Elo, transposition-aware opening trees and opponent scouting used by titled players.
New features weekly, not a paid upgrade once a year — the roadmap is shaped directly by what users ask for.
A real file manager for your chess.
- Folders and sub-folders — organise repertoires, endgames, OTB events and online games your way
- Import PGN files and export any study or folder back out — your data is never locked in
- Autosaved cloud studies with full variation trees, annotations and graphics
- Unlimited storage, synced to every device you sign in on
- Share any study with coaches, teammates and students via a link
Your entire chess history, organised like files, accessible anywhere.
See what every level actually plays.
Build a repertoire on real results:
Every position shows you what was played, how often, and how it scored — wins, draws and losses per move. Stockfish runs on the same board, so you can weigh the engine's verdict against the results humans actually get.
Learn from the players above you:
Every move carries the average rating of the players on both sides and the strongest names who chose it, so you can see which lines hold up at the level you're aiming at — and which ones only work below it.
Beyond human theory:
Engine-vs-engine games at 3500+ Elo sit in the same tree, so you can see where modern theory goes after the human games run out.
Scout any opponent before you shake hands.
- Search 580,000+ rated players and pull every game of theirs in the database
- ECO breakdown as White and as Black — score, wins, draws, losses per opening
- Transposition-aware openings tree of everything your opponent plays
- Send any line straight into your library next to your repertoire
ChessLab vs. Other Tools
| Feature | CLChessLab | Other Tools |
|---|---|---|
| Games database | 11M+ top-rated games — masters, FIDE-rated and engine — in one searchable tree | A curated collection you install per edition |
| See what each level plays | Every position shows the moves, win rates and rating strength behind them | Master games, filtered by hand |
| Engine games database | TCEC-tier games (Engine vs. Engine) at 3500+ Elo | |
| Runs on Mac / Linux / Windows | Any browser — Mac, Windows, Linux, iPad | Windows-native; Mac needs emulation |
| Library & file management | Cloud folders, drag-and-drop, PGN import/export, synced everywhere | Local database files on one PC |
| Position search | Lightning-fast UI for any game, PGN or FEN | Slow filters, and aged UI |
| Opening tree | Transposition-aware fast click-through opening tree | |
| Player prep / opponent scouting | Scout any of 580,000+ rated players in seconds | |
| Cost to start | Free | Hundreds of euros upfront |
| Engine for deep analysis | Stockfish 18 included, runs in the browser | Sold separately |
| Learning curve | Simple & modern. Build repertoires in 1 day. | Weeks of tutorials |
| Access from any device | Sign in anywhere — your library follows you | Tied to one licensed PC |
| Product updates | New features every week from a dedicated team | Yearly upgrade cycle |
Comparison based on publicly available information about traditional desktop chess database software, August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is ChessLab an alternative to desktop chess database software?+
Yes. ChessLab covers the full database workflow — a large games database, opening trees, position search, engine analysis and opponent preparation — but runs entirely in your browser. Instead of database files locked to one Windows PC, your games and repertoires live in a cloud library with folders, drag-and-drop and PGN import/export.
Does ChessLab work on Mac?+
ChessLab runs in any modern browser, so it works natively on macOS — no Windows emulation, Parallels or Boot Camp needed. The same account also works on Windows, Linux and iPad, and your library stays in sync across all of them. If you've been searching for a chess database for Mac, this is the workflow without the workarounds.
How big is the ChessLab database?+
The Ultra Database holds over 11 million top-rated games: master games, FIDE-rated games, top engine-vs-engine games at 3500+ Elo and more. They sit in one searchable tree, so any position shows you what was played, how it scored, and at what rating level — no separate database editions to buy or install.
Can I import my existing PGN files and databases?+
Yes. You can import PGN files into your library and export any study or analysis back out as PGN, so nothing is locked in. Most desktop database programs can export their databases to PGN for the move over.
Does ChessLab include an engine?+
Yes — Stockfish 18 runs directly in your browser for unlimited analysis, with no separate engine purchase, downloads or configuration.
How much does ChessLab cost?+
ChessLab is free while in beta. There is no upfront licence, no separate database purchase and no paid yearly upgrade.
Free while in BETA
Your database. Your prep. In any browser.
Open ChessLab, import your PGNs and make your first analysis in under a minute — on Mac, Windows or Linux. Free while in BETA.