Coming from ChessBase?
FlexiChess uses a browser-native workflow. Your ChessBase databases need a one-time export to PGN — then import works like any other PGN file.
Concept map
| ChessBase | FlexiChess | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Mega / Big Database (reference) | Public databases | Cloud + local reference databases |
| Personal database (.cbh) | Collection | Library → Collections (cloud or this device) |
| Database list window | Library | File → Load database… |
| Repertoire database | Repertoire | Repertoire panel + training |
| Opening Reference tab | Opening Analysis | Opening Analysis panel |
| Player dossier | Scout | Scout opponent panel |
| .cbh / .cbv / .cbz files | PGN only (export first) | See export steps below |
Export to PGN
- Open each ChessBase database you want to move.
- Select all games (Ctrl+A) or the subset you need.
- Right-click → Output → "Save as PGN".
- In FlexiChess, Library → Upload PGN files.
Multiple databases? Export each .cbh to its own .pgn file. You can select several PGNs at once — FlexiChess queues them and processes each in turn.
No ChessBase license, or only .cbv / .cbz backups? The free ChessBase Reader opens these files so you can view your games, but exporting a whole database to PGN still needs the full ChessBase program (for example on a club or a friend's computer). Direct .cbh / .cbv import — no ChessBase required — is on our roadmap.
What imports preserve
- Comments, variations, and standard symbols (NAGs) — yes, when present in the exported PGN.
- Header fields (players, event, Elo, date) — yes.
- ChessBase-only multimedia or proprietary symbols beyond PGN — not preserved; export to PGN first.
Current limits
- Native .cbh / .cbv / .cbz files are not read directly — export to PGN in ChessBase.
- Very large imports may be recommended for cloud (sync + backup); small imports stay on this device.
- Variation-tree merge into repertoire is available after import — use Merge into repertoire from the board.