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The test will show whether you are obsessed with the game of chess. Novices stand virtually no chance of answering the test questions correctly.
Questions and Answers
1.
Two representatives of the "hypermodern school of chess" were
A.
Paul Morphy and Simon Winawer
B.
Howard Staunton and Johannes Zukertort
C.
Max Euwe and Mikhail Tal
D.
Jacques Mieses and Adolf Anderssen
E.
Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti
Correct Answer
E. Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti
Explanation Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Reti were representatives of the "hypermodern school of chess". The hypermodern school of chess was a movement in chess theory that emerged in the early 20th century, challenging the classical principles of chess. Nimzowitsch and Reti were both influential chess players and theorists who contributed to the development of hypermodern ideas. Nimzowitsch is known for his book "My System", which introduced many new concepts and strategies. Reti is known for his contributions to opening theory and his famous game against Capablanca in 1924. Together, Nimzowitsch and Reti played a significant role in shaping the hypermodern school of chess.
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2.
You play 1.e4, your opponent answers 1...c6. The opening is called:
A.
Scandinavian defence
B.
Caro-Kann
C.
Sicilian defence
D.
Alekhine's defence
E.
Center-counter defence
Correct Answer
B. Caro-Kann
Explanation The correct answer is Caro-Kann. This opening is characterized by the moves 1.e4 c6. It is named after Horatio Caro and Marcus Kann, who analyzed this opening extensively in the late 19th century. The Caro-Kann is a solid and reliable defense for Black, aiming to control the center and develop harmoniously. It often leads to closed positions with strategic maneuvering rather than sharp tactical battles.
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3.
There is a black king, a white king and a white knight left on the chessboard. The position is
A.
Drawn
B.
Win for white
C.
Win for black
D.
Most likely adjourned
Correct Answer
A. Drawn
Explanation The given position of a black king, a white king, and a white knight on the chessboard suggests a stalemate or a draw. Stalemate occurs when the player whose turn it is to move is not in check, but has no legal moves available. In this case, it seems that neither the black king nor the white king can make a move without putting themselves in check, and the white knight alone cannot checkmate the black king. Therefore, the game is likely to end in a draw.
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4.
In the James Bond movie "From Russia with Love" (see screenshot from the movie below), the position on the chessboard is based on a:
A.
Fischer - Spassky world championship game
B.
Paul Morphy's game against an unknown opponent
C.
Spassky - Bronstein USSR Championship game
D.
A famous correspondence chess game
E.
Illegal position which would never occur in a chess game
Correct Answer
C. Spassky - Bronstein USSR Championship game
Explanation The correct answer is Spassky - Bronstein USSR Championship game. In the James Bond movie "From Russia with Love," the position on the chessboard is based on a real game between Boris Spassky and David Bronstein in the USSR Championship. This game is famous for its creative and unorthodox opening moves, which made it a fitting choice for the movie scene.
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5.
A quote from Emanuel Lasker: "I have known many chess players, but among them there has been only one genius - [....]! His ideal was to win by manoeuvering. [....]'s genius reveals itself in his probing of the opponent's weak points. The slightest weakness cannot escape from his keen eye." Who is the mysterious [....] Lasker is referring to?
A.
Harry Nelson Pillsbury
B.
Wilhelm Steinitz
C.
Carl Schlechter
D.
Akiba Rubinstein
E.
Jose Raul Capablanca
Correct Answer
E. Jose Raul Capablanca
Explanation The quote mentions that the chess player referred to as [....] is a genius who excels at maneuvering and probing the opponent's weak points. Among the options given, Jose Raul Capablanca is known for his exceptional positional play and strategic maneuvering on the chessboard. He was renowned for his ability to exploit even the slightest weaknesses in his opponent's position, which aligns with the description provided in the quote. Therefore, the correct answer is Jose Raul Capablanca.
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6.
The position below is characteristic of which opening?
A.
Benoni
B.
Bird
C.
French
D.
Queen's Gambit
E.
Dutch
Correct Answer
A. Benoni
Explanation The position described is characteristic of the Benoni opening. The Benoni is a chess opening that arises after the moves 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.d5 e6. In this opening, Black allows White to establish a strong pawn center with pawns on d4 and e4, and then plans to counterattack and undermine White's central pawns. The Benoni is known for its dynamic and imbalanced positions, where Black aims to create tactical complications and counterplay.
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7.
"When I am White, I win because I am White. When I am Black, I win because I am ______."
A.
Alekhine
B.
The greatest
C.
Bogoljubov
D.
Lasker
E.
Black
Correct Answer
C. Bogoljubov
Explanation The given statement implies that the speaker, Alekhine, is a highly skilled chess player who consistently wins regardless of whether they are playing as White or Black. The answer "Bogoljubov" is likely the correct choice because Bogoljubov was a renowned chess player who had a reputation for being a strong opponent and winning games. Therefore, when Alekhine is playing as Black, they win because they are able to defeat a formidable player like Bogoljubov.
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8.
The correct chronological order of world chess champions is:
A.
Steinitz, Euwe, Capablanca, Lasker
B.
Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe
C.
Capablanca, Botvinnik, Tal, Smyslov
D.
Alekhine, Bronstein, Petrosian, Fischer
E.
Lasker, Smyslov, Botvinnik, Tal
Correct Answer
B. Steinitz, Lasker, Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe
Explanation The chronological order of world chess champions is as follows: Wilhelm Steinitz, Emanuel Lasker, Jose Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, and Max Euwe. Steinitz became the inaugural champion in 1886, followed by subsequent champions, each making significant contributions to the chess world, showcasing strategic brilliance and distinct playing styles during their respective reigns.
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9.
The three strongest chess players, who failed to attain the title of World Chess Champion, are widely considered to be:
A.
Milan Vidmar, Nigel Short and Lev Polugaevsky
B.
Eugenio Torre, Leonid Stein and Bent Larsen
C.
Enrique Mecking, Siegbert Tarrasch and Pal Benko
D.
Paul Keres, Viktor Korchnoi and Akiba Rubinstein
E.
Geza Maroczy, David Bronstein and Efim Geller
Correct Answer
D. Paul Keres, Viktor Korchnoi and Akiba Rubinstein
Explanation The three strongest chess players who failed to attain the title of World Chess Champion are Paul Keres, Viktor Korchnoi, and Akiba Rubinstein.
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10.
Who is the woman in the picture below?
A.
Jane Murphy, Australian Collegiate Chess Champion
B.
Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Chess Champion
C.
Shannen Doherty, an actress in Beverly Hills, 90210
D.
One of top ranked tennis players in the United States
E.
Olga Mila, a Russian-born mystery writer
Correct Answer
B. Alexandra Kosteniuk, Women's World Chess Champion
Explanation The woman in the picture is Alexandra Kosteniuk, the Women's World Chess Champion. This can be inferred from the given options where her name is mentioned specifically as the correct answer.
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11.
Why is the painting below relevant to chess?
A.
It was owned consecutively by Emanuel Lasker, Jose Raul Capablanca, Robert James Fischer and Vladimir Kramnik, all chess champions
B.
It was stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City during a Kasparov-Karpov world chess championship match
C.
It is supposed to represent Caissa, the goddess of chess
D.
It was created by Marcel Duchamp, a Dadaist who represented France during the 1930 Chess Olympiad in Hamburg
E.
It is the official logo of FIDE, the World Chess Federation
Correct Answer
D. It was created by Marcel Duchamp, a Dadaist who represented France during the 1930 Chess Olympiad in Hamburg
Explanation The painting is relevant to chess because it was created by Marcel Duchamp, a Dadaist who represented France during the 1930 Chess Olympiad in Hamburg.
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12.
The standard design of chess pieces, pictured below, is known as the
A.
Regency design
B.
Staunton design
C.
Isle of Lewis design
D.
Zagreb design
E.
Selenus design
Correct Answer
B. Staunton design
Explanation The correct answer is Staunton design. The Staunton design is the standard design of chess pieces that is widely used today. It was named after Howard Staunton, a prominent chess player in the 19th century who endorsed and popularized this particular design. The Staunton design features a distinctive and easily recognizable shape for each chess piece, which enhances their functionality and aesthetic appeal. This design has become the universal standard for chess pieces and is used in most official tournaments and competitions.
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13.
In the drawing below, the third gentleman from the right, the one resting his arm on the chessboard, is:
A.
Johannes Zukertort
B.
Wilhelm Steinitz
C.
Paul Morphy
D.
Louis Paulsen
E.
Howard Staunton
Correct Answer
E. Howard Staunton
Explanation The drawing shows a group of gentlemen, and the question asks to identify the third gentleman from the right who is resting his arm on the chessboard. Looking at the drawing, we can count the gentlemen from the right and identify the third one who matches the description. The correct answer is Howard Staunton.
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14.
In the position below, it is white's turn to move. White should:
A.
Force a mate
B.
Win material and equalize
C.
Resign, as his position is hopeless
D.
Fight hard for a draw
E.
Offer a draw
Correct Answer
A. Force a mate
Explanation In the given position, white has a clear advantage with the black king being exposed and vulnerable. White has the opportunity to force a checkmate by making a series of strong moves that will eventually lead to the black king being checkmated. Therefore, the correct answer is to force a mate.
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15.
Walter Korn called them "chess pirates"; they tried to revive the romantic King's Gambit in the 20th century. He was referring to:
A.
Botvinnik, Keres and Geller
B.
Larsen, Smyslov and Petrosian
C.
Spassky, Bronstein and Fischer
D.
Trifunovic, Barcza and Portisch
E.
Korchnoi, Hort and Polugaevsky
Correct Answer
C. Spassky, Bronstein and Fischer
Explanation Walter Korn referred to Spassky, Bronstein, and Fischer as "chess pirates" because they were known for their daring and aggressive playing style, particularly in their efforts to revive the King's Gambit. They were willing to take risks and challenge conventional wisdom in their pursuit of exciting and dynamic chess games.
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