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How to Analyze a Chess Position From a Photo

Saw an interesting position in a book, over the board or in a screenshot? You can turn the picture into a position and check it with an engine.

Option 1: Set it up by hand

Most analysis boards (Lichess, ChessScout) have a board editor. Place the pieces, choose who is to move, and run the engine. It's free but slow for a busy position.

Option 2: Scan it

A board scanner reads the photo and sets the position up for you. On ChessScout, Scan Position (part of Pro, $5/month) turns a photo or screenshot into a board, then shows the best move and the line after it. You can analyze it further or play it out against a bot.

Tips for a good scan

What to do with the position

Don't just look at the best move. Ask why it's best: what does it threaten, and what did the other moves miss? That's how a single position teaches you something.

What's free on ChessScout and what's Pro