2PawnsKnights

Question 1

Which is the most complex piece?

Why?

Answer 1

Pawns.

Generally, it can only move forward and by 1 space with 2 exceptions:

(1) It can move one or two squares forward on its initial move
(2) It can move forward diagonally one space only if it will capture an opponent’s piece if it does so.

Question 2

What happens if the pawn reaches the other side of the chess board?

Answer 2

It can “trade” it in for any other piece except a King.

Question 3

What is a Pawn Ram?

Answer 3

When 2 opposing Pawns can’t move because neither can move forward.

Some other piece will have to break the ram.

Question 4

When setting up the board, what piece must be on h8?

Answer 4

A black Rook.

This means that white pieces are always on the rank 1 and 2 side of the board.

Movies sometimes get this wrong.

Question 5

The King and Queen are on the middle of the back row. Which space does the Queen go on?

Answer 5

The one of its same color.

Question 6

What is the Queens’ side of the board?

Answer 6

The side that both Queens are on.

Question 7

What is the other side called?

Answer 7

The Kings’ Side.

Question 8

How are the pieces on the back rows laid out around the King and Queen?

Answer 8

The Bishops are outside the King and Queen.

The Knights are outside the Bishops.

The Rooks are outside the Knights.

Question 9

What is unique about the Pawns’ starting positions?

Answer 9

The pawns have to move before the piece behind them can move (except for the Knight, which can jump).

You have to think about freeing up the main pieces.

Question 10

What is a Pawn Promotion?

Answer 10

When a Pawn reaches the other side and trades in for another piece, usually a Queen.

^{(If you choose to turn it into a Bishop, Rook or Knight, it is sometimes called an Underpromotion.)}

Question 11

What is the notation for a Pawn Promotion?

Answer 11

b8Q or

b8 = Q

Question 12

Theoretically, how many Queens is it possible to have?

Answer 12

9.

The original one plus one for each Pawn that reaches the other side.

^{(However, 3 Queens is rare.)}

Question 13

What is the least understood rule in chess?

Answer 13

en passant (in passing)

If a player uses its initial foward-2-spaces option and ends up next to an opponent’s pawn. That opponent can move diagonally but they still capture the pawn even though they didn’t land on it. But, it must be done on the next move.

Question 14

What 4 ways can be used to notate an en passant?

Answer 14

ba6

bxa6

ba6 e.p.

bxa6 e.p.

Question 15

How do Knights move?

Answer 15

In an L-shape.

2 vertically, 1 horizontally

or 2 horizontally and 1 vertically.

This makes it much more powerful in the center.

Question 16

What was the Knight piece originally called?

Answer 16

A horse.

Question 17

What can a Knight do that no other piece can do?

Answer 17

Jump another piece, including its own side’s piece.

This means it can’t be trapped by its Pawn.

This is not an uncommon beginning to a game.