3 Checkmate

Question 1

Which pieces does Castling combine?

Answer 1

Castling involves the relationship between the King and the Rook.

Question 2

How does Castling connect the King and Rook?

Answer 2

They get to move at the same time.

Question 3

What conditions are required for castling?

Answer 3

(1) The squares between the King and Rook must be unoccupied.
(2) The King and Rook must never have moved.

Question 4

What is the Castling procedure?

Answer 4

The King moves 2 squares toward the Rook and the Rook then jumps the King.

You can do it either to the left (Queen side) or the right (King side)

Question 5

What are the benefits of Castling?

Answer 5

(1) It protects the King in or near the corner
(2) It puts the Rook near the center.

Question 6

What is the notation for Castling?

Answer 6

If you Castle short (Kingside):

0 - 0

If you Castle Queenside:

0 - 0 - 0

Question 7

Which piece do you move first in Castling?

Answer 7

The King

You can move them at the same time.

Remember, you can’t Castle if you have ever moved your King or the Rook you are using.

Question 8

What other restriction is there on when you can Castle?

Answer 8

You can’t move your King to an attacked square.

In this example, d1 is an Attacked Square because the Black Rook can attack there.

Question 9

Do you have to Castle?

Should you Castle?

Answer 9

You do not have to but you usually should. It improves the position of both pieces.

Question 10

Summarize the notations:

Answer 10

These go at the end:

+: Check

e.p.: en passant (dxe6 e.p.)

0-0: Castling Kingside

0-0-0: Castling Queenside

x: Capture (Qxe5)

Question 11

What informal notations are there that are helpful but shouldn’t be used in a game and writing down your score?

Answer 11

?: Bad move

??: Blunder

?!: Dubious move

!!: Brilliant move

Question 12

What is the difference between a Check, Checkmate and a Stalemate?

Answer 12

Check is an attack on the King.

Checkmate is when you are attacking the enemy King and they have no way to stop it.

A Stalemate is when there are no moves you can make. It is a Draw by Stalemate.

Question 13

How else can you draw?

Answer 13

You can offer one (Why?? The board is boring)

This is called an Offer of Peace.

The other person can respond by accepting the Draw or making a move.

Question 14

When is it rude to offer a Draw?

Answer 14

If you are losing.

Question 15

What is the third way to draw?

Answer 15

The 50-move Rule (rare)

50 moves are made without either side making an exchange.

Either side can claim a draw.

Question 16

What is the fourth (and last) way to draw?

Answer 16

Three-time repetition:

When a position is about to be repeated 3 or more times

Question 17

If your position is bad, can you give up?

Answer 17

Yes. You can say, “I give up” or lay down your King.

These are considered polite ways to resign.

Question 18

What is the Touch Move Rule?

Answer 18

If you touch it, you have to move it.

If you touch an enemy piece, you have to capture it.

Accidentally touching is usually excepted.

Question 19

What if you need to clean a piece or it is not fully on the square?

Answer 19

If you need to clean a piece or it is not fully on the square you say, “j’adoube” (I adjust)

Question 20

Why did they start using chess clocks?

Answer 20

Games were too long.

They first used hour glasses but they wern’t too accurate.