What is the CBF file format?
A .cbf file is a ChessBase legacy games database - the proprietary binary format used by ChessBase versions 1 through 5 (approximately 1987-1995). It stores chess game records with moves encoded as position-dependent move-generator offsets, alongside player names, event details and other game metadata.
The .cbf format always requires a paired .cbi index file of the same base name; neither file works without the other. Together they form one database. ChessBase introduced the more capable .cbh multi-file format with ChessBase 6 in 1995, superseding .cbf for all new databases.
ChessBase keeps the format proprietary and unpublished; no magic bytes or public specification exist. Third-party programs such as Scid access .cbf databases only through reverse engineering, with partial decode accuracy. Modern ChessBase (version 16 and later) still reads .cbf files and provides a built-in conversion tool to upgrade them to .cbh or to export as PGN.
The format dates to ChessBase 1.0 for the Atari ST around 1987, with DOS and later Windows versions following. For long-term preservation, converting a .cbf database to PGN is recommended, as PGN is an open, universally supported plain-text standard for chess games.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWCBF is a static chess game data file - no executable code. Opening it in ChessBase or Scid is safe. The only risk is data loss if CBF files are moved without their paired .cbi index file; keep CBF and CBI together.
Format details
in a nutshell- Tailwag Calendar Builder File - Tailwag Calendar Builder (Windows) uses .cbf for monthly/weekly calendar layout templates with borders, fonts, icons and graphics; unrelated to chess.
- Crystal Ball Forecast File - Oracle Crystal Ball (financial risk analysis software) uses .cbf for saved forecast files.
Programs that open CBF files
Windows3 apps
ChessBase Reader
Free Free read-only ChessBase viewer; can open and browse CBF databases without a full ChessBase licence. 
ChessBase (full product)
Paid Open the CBF database in ChessBase; the catalogue shows the CBF as a database. Right-click and 'Convert to new format' to migrate to CBH.
Scid (Shane's Chess Information Database)
Open-source Free open-source chess database; supports partial CBF import (read-only, some game data may not decode fully). Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary binary chess game database (legacy ChessBase 1-5) |
| Encoding | Binary; moves encoded as deterministic move-generator position offsets |
| Byte order | Little-endian (x86 PC heritage) |
| Companion file | Requires paired .cbi index file (same base name); neither file is usable alone |
| Character encoding | CP1252 (later CBF versions) or CP850 (earliest DOS format) |
| Specification | Unpublished; no public documentation; third-party support via reverse engineering only |
| Encryption | None (format is secret but not encrypted) |
| Typical size | Several MB for a large .cbf + .cbi pair |
| Associated OS | Windows; DOS (original); Atari ST (original debut c. 1987) |
| Status | Legacy; superseded by CBH in ChessBase 6 (1995); still readable in ChessBase 16+ |
| Migration path | Convert to CBH or PGN using ChessBase's built-in database conversion tool |
| Released | circa 1987 (ChessBase 1.x for Atari ST / DOS) |
| Latest version | N/A (legacy format; superseded by CBH in ChessBase 6, 1995) |
CBF conversions
Community Q&A
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