Peculiarities of Chess Grandmasters

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1. What do Bobby Fischer, Barbra Streisand and Neil Diamond have in common? They share the same birth date They went to the same school They all have science degrees They all have sisters of the same name

2. Most people know that former World Champion Anatoly Karpov has a vast collection of stamps. What other hobby did he have prior to this? Badge collecting Whittling Morris dancing Weather watching

3. Alexander Alekhine loved cats. He was often seen at tournaments with either a cat, or cat motifs on his jumpers etc. When he took a cat to a tournament what did it do? It walked on the board It sat on his opponent's chair It sat in his lap It rubbed up against his opponent's leg to distract

4. Harry Nelson Pillsbury was a remarkable player at the turn of the 20th century. He would play up to 22 simultaneous games of chess and checkers, blindfolded, whilst playing which other game? Backgammon Whist Poker Bridge

5. Wilhelm Steinitz (World Champion 1886-1894) was said to suffer delusions later in life and died penniless. He Said he could speak by telephone without using an instrument Challenged God to a game giving Him a pawn start (and occasionally beating Him) All of these Believed he could move chess pieces through mental telepathy

6. Emmanuel Lasker (World Champion 1894-1921) once tried to breed pigeons to compete in poultry shows. Why was he unsuccessful? He fed them the wrong food They were all male They kept flying away They wouldn't sit on the eggs

7. There were a number of strong players who met untimely deaths. How did Alexander Zaitsev die? Died of a stroke while taking a cold bath Died in his sleep from a leak in a faulty gas pipe connection Died of syphilis Died of thrombosis after a minor operation to have one leg lengthened

8. Garry Kasparov changed his last name. What was it previously? Goldberg Weinstein Trivianov Ivanov

9. Who, after losing a game of chess jumped up on the table and yelled, 'Why must I lose to this idiot?' Bobby Fischer Viktor Korchnoi Rustam Kamsky Aron Nimzovich

10. Top Grandmaster Judit Polgar was married in 2001. What was her husband's profession? Chess coach Doctor Veterinarian Dentist