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 control the a1 - h8 diagonal control the kingside achieve a rapid exchange of pieces

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)? Block the centre and attack on the Kingside exchange centre pawns and control the e-file attack on the queenside control the a8 - h1 diagonal

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

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

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? prepare for a queenside pawn advance using the bishop as a defending piece pressurise the queenside to exchange of his darksquare bishop for blacks fianchettoed bishop defend the king

8. What is the main underlying rationale of the Caro-Kann defence for black (1 e4 c6 2 d4 d5)? control the b5 square support the d5 pawn without blocking in the queens bishop block the c-file 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 knight weaknesses white square weaknesses dark square weaknesses

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