introduction

Question 1

How many squares are there on a chessboard?

Answer 1

64 squares

Question 2

How many light squares are there on a chessboard?

Answer 2

32 light squares

Question 3

What are the vertical lines on a chessboard called?

Answer 3

Files

Question 4

What are the horizontal lines on a chessboard called?

Answer 4

Ranks

Question 5

What are the diagonal lines on a chessboard called?

Answer 5

Diagonals

Question 6

What colour square should be in the lower right-hand corner from the perspective of each player when setting up a chessboard?

Answer 6

Light square

Question 7

Which player makes the first move in chess?

Answer 7

White

Question 8

What is the system for describing the location of pieces on a chessboard called?

Answer 8

Algebraic notation

Question 9

What are the letters used to denote the files on a chessboard?

Answer 9

a through h

Question 10

What are the numbers used to denote the ranks on a chessboard?

Answer 10

1 through 8

Question 11

How is a square on a chessboard identified using algebraic notation?

Answer 11

By combining the letter of the file and the number of the rank; for example, d5

Question 12

What are the six chess pieces?

Answer 12

King, queen, rook, bishop, knight, and pawn

Question 13

What is the least valuable piece on the chessboard?

Answer 13

Pawn

Question 14

What is considered the “unit of value” in chess?

Answer 14

Pawn

Question 15

What is the approximate value of a knight and bishop in terms of pawns?

Answer 15

Three Pawns

Question 16

What is the value of a rook in terms of pawns?

Answer 16

Five pawns

Question 17

What is the most powerful piece on the chessboard?

Answer 17

Queen

Question 18

What is the value of a queen in terms of pawns?

Answer 18

nine Pawns

Question 19

Why is it difficult to assign a value to the king in terms of pawns?

Answer 19

The king cannot be captured, so it doesn’t have a value that can be measured in pawns. The goal of the game is to checkmate the opponent’s king, so the king has infinite value.

Question 20

On what colour square does the white king start the game?

Answer 20

Black Square

Question 21

On what colour square does the black queen start the game?

Answer 21

Black Square

Question 22

What is the only chess piece that cannot move backwards?

Answer 22

Pawn

Question 23

How many squares forward can a pawn move on its first move?

Answer 23

1 or 2

Question 24

How many squares can a pawn move forward after its first move?

Answer 24

just 1

Question 25

How does a pawn capture an enemy piece?

Answer 25

Diagonally

Question 26

What is the term for a pawn reaching the opposite end of the board?

Answer 26

Promotion

Question 27

What is the most common piece to promote a pawn to?

Answer 27

Queen

Question 28

What is the term for a situation where any legal move a player can make will worsen their position?

Answer 28

Zugzwang

Question 29

What is the French term for the special pawn capture rule that allows a pawn to capture an enemy pawn that has moved two squares forward from its starting position?

Answer 29

En passant

Question 30

What is the only move in chess where two pieces can be moved in the same turn?

Answer 30

Castling

Question 31

Under what circumstances is a player allowed to castle in chess?

Answer 31

Castling is permitted only once per game per player, provided the following conditions are met: ○ Neither the king nor the chosen rook has moved previously. ○ There are no pieces between the king and the chosen rook. ○ The king is not in check. ○ The king does not pass over or end up on a square that is under attack by an enemy piece.

Question 32

What are the relative strengths and weaknesses of bishops and knights, and how do these relate to the concept of open and closed games?

Answer 32

Bishops and knights, despite both having a value of three pawns, have different strengths. ○ Bishops excel in open games where their diagonal movement allows them to control many squares. Open games are characterised by less obstructed pawn structures in the centre of the board, giving bishops greater freedom. ○ Knights, with their ability to jump over other pieces, are more effective in closed games, where their movement is less restricted by pawns.

Question 33

Explain the concept of a "discovered attack" in chess and provide an example.

Answer 33

A discovered attack occurs when moving one piece opens up an attack on an enemy piece by another piece, often with devastating consequences. For example, consider a scenario where a white rook is blocking the line of attack of a white queen on the black king. By moving the rook, the white queen's attack is "discovered", resulting in a discovered check.

Question 34

What is the strategic significance of centralising pieces in chess?

Answer 34

Centralising pieces is a fundamental strategic principle in chess. Pieces in the centre of the board control more squares and exert greater influence over the game. For example, a knight on the edge of the board controls only two squares, while a centrally located knight can control up to eight squares.

Question 35

Describe the concept of "zugzwang" and explain its relevance in a chess game.

Answer 35

Zugzwang is a situation where any legal move a player makes will worsen their position. This can be a powerful strategic advantage for the player who is not in zugzwang, as they can force their opponent to make a detrimental move. Zugzwang frequently occurs in endgames but can sometimes occur in complex middle game situations as well.