Chess Strategy in the Opening

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. What is one of the main aims of the Sokolski opening (1. b4)? control the white squares achieve a rapid exchange of pieces control the kingside control the a1 - h8 diagonal

2. Which piece does black often try to exchange in the French defence (1.e4 e6)? King Bishop Queen's Bishop King Knight Queen Knight

3. What is the main strategic plan for Black when playing the King's Indian Defence (1 d4 Nf6 2 c4 g6 3 Nc3 Bg7 4 e4 d6)? control the a8 - h1 diagonal attack on the queenside Block the centre and attack on the Kingside exchange centre pawns and control the e-file

4. In the Larsen opening (1 b3), what is white's main strategy? control the a1-h8 diagonal control the white squares attack on the queenside open the centre

5. In the Alekhine Defence (1 e4 Nf6) what is black's main strategic idea? quick kingside attack with knights stop the white pawns from progressing Entice the white pawns forward and then undermine them attack on the queenside with his blacksquare bishop

6. What is the idea of a gambit opening - such as the Kings Gambit (1 e4 e5 2. f4)? establish a secure king position before opponent mobilises to improve pawn formations to buy time for an attack later in the game To deflect pawns from the centre allowing rapid piece development to attack the weakspots left exposed

7. When one side (let's say White) places his queen on d2 and a bishop on e3, the reason for this is usually what? pressurise the queenside prepare for a queenside pawn advance using the bishop as a defending piece defend the king to exchange of his darksquare bishop for blacks fianchettoed bishop

8. What is the main underlying rationale of the Caro-Kann defence for black (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5)? support the d5 pawn without blocking in the queens bishop block the c-file control the b5 square prepare for the move b5 to attack on the queenside

9. What is the main positional drawback for black of the Dutch defence against the Queens Pawn opening (1 d4 f5)? Queenside weaknesses dark square weaknesses white square weaknesses knight weaknesses

10. Which of the following is a common configuration for whites pieces in the English opening (1 c4)? Nc3, Bg2, Rb1, Bg5, Qc2 Nc4, Rb1, Bd3, Qh4 Nd2, Bc4, Rc1, Qd2 Nd3, Re1, Bg2, Kh6