Chess UIL Practioe

Next we just have to learn how to read and
write the names of the pieces that move
across the board. See the next panel.

Now we know that every square has a name.

Every piece is indicated by a
logical abbreviation:

Letter Abbreviation
(Algebraic Notation)

Figurine Symbol
(Figurine Algebraic
Notation—used in
the puzzles test.)

King

K

Queen

Q

Rook

R

Bishop

B

Knight
(because “K” is already taken by the King!)

N

Pawn (the file it’s on)

(a-h)

• In the first diagram, White just played 1.e4
• In the second diagram, Black Played 1…. f6

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

8

7

6

5

4

3

2

1

Multiple Choice

What squares can the white pawn in the diagram move to?

• e3, e4, and d3

• Only e4

• Only e3

• None of the above

Explanation Q1

On its initial move, the pawn can move one square ahead or two moves ahead. Pawns capture diagonally, so taking the black pawn on d3 is a possible third move.

Multiple Choice

The chessboard is square-shaped with eight squares on each side. How many total squares does it have?

• 32

• 64

• 72

• None of the above

Explanation Q2

The area of a rectangle is calculated by multiplying the length by the width, using any consistent unit of measurement: 8 x 8 = 64.

Multiple Choice

Chess Players have names for the three kinds of “streets” on a chessboard made by connecting squares. Which kind of “streets” do Bishops travel on?

• Rows
• Ranks

• Files

• Diagonals

Explanation Q3

Bishops move only on the “slanted” rows of squares, the diagonals. The other “streets” are ranks and files.

Multiple Choice

It’s Black’s move. White has just played e2-e4. Is it possible for Black to capture the White pawn?

• Yes, by moving to e3 and removing White’s pawn.

• Yes, by moving to d3 and removing White’s pawn.

• Yes, by removing the pawn on e4 and keeping the black pawn on d4.

• No, it’s not possible.

Explanation Q4

This rule is called “en passant” or “in passing.” It is a special pawn capture that can be made immediately after an opponent moves a pawn two squares forward from its starting position, and an enemy pawn could have captured it had it moved only one square forward. But this optional capture has to be made on the very next turn or the option is lost.

Multiple Choice

White to move and mate in one. What’s the move?

• e7

• e1

• d8

• b1

Explanation Q5

By moving his rook on d1 to d8, White puts Black’s king in check, and that king can’t escape check. A king in check must get out of check immediately or it’s checkmate—and checkmate ends the game. The side that is checkmated loses. There are three ways a king can get out of check, if it’s possible: Move out of check; Block the check with one of the king’s own pieces; Capture the checking piece.
In this example, the black king can’t move out of check because he’s hemmed in by his own pieces. There is no friendly piece that can block the check by the white rook. So Black’s last chance is to capture White’s rook. But he can’t play 1. … Bxe7xd8 because his bishop is pinned to his king by the white bishop. So Black is checkmated.

Multiple Choice

Which side has the greater value of material left on the board?

• White side
• Black side
• Both sides have equal value
• It depends on whos move it is

Explanation Q6

A simple way to explain the relative material values of the pieces is: Queen = 9
Rook = 5
Bishop = 3
Knight = 3
Pawn = 1
Kings aren’t counted in this way, since they are infinitely valuable.
So in the position diagrammed, Black’s material adds up to 22. White’s material adds up to 18.

Multiple Choice

It’s White’s move. What move does he have to catch the pawn so that Black doesn’t wind up with a Queen!

• e6

• e5

• e7

• g6

Explanation Q7

White’s king must get in the “square of the pawn.” No other move catches the pawn before it reaches the opposite side of the board and promotes.

Multiple Choice

What move checkmates Black immediately?

• d7

• c8

• c1

• c3

Explanation Q8

Moving the rook to c1 puts Black’s king in check, and he can’t escape because he is trapped on the back rank by his own pawns. Black has no piece that can block the check, and he can’t capture White’s rook. So it’s checkmate.

Multiple Choice

It’s White’s move, and he can force checkmate in two moves. What move does he have to play first to do this?

• h6+

• d6+

• c) d8+

• g5+

Explanation Q9

By moving 1. Nd8+, White discovers check on Black’s king with White’s queen. Black can’t capture White’s queen or block the check. So the black king must move. Because f8 is covered by the white rook on f1, the king’s only move is 1. … Kh8. Then White can follow up with 2. Rf8, checkmate. Another first move, 1. Nh6+ will mate in three moves: 1. … Kh8 2. Qg8! Rxg8 3. 3. Nf7 checkmate. But the challenge was to mate in only two moves, and only answer “c” does that.

Multiple Choice

It’s White’s move, and he can force checkmate in two moves. What move does he have to play first to do this?

• h4

• g4

• g3

• f6+

Explanation Q10

Nf6+! forces the black king to move to play 1. … Kh8, and then White follows up with 2. Qxh7 checkmate. After 1. Nf6+!, Black cannot capture the white knight with 1. … gxf6 because his g-pawn is pinned by the white rook on g2. So his only move to get out of check is 1. … Kh8, which allows the checkmate by the white queen.