Chapter Seven
Twenty Questions
Twenty Questions
To round off the book I've added 20 multiple choice questions based on lessons (hopefully) learned throughout this book. All you have to do is select the correct option out of the four provided and upon completing the test, check your answers in the next chapter. In all honesty I believe that most of the questions should be like a walk in the park to those that have thoroughly worked their way through the book. This is where we discover how much has been
A) With 1...Ra8. He should attack and block White's passed pawn ASAP.
B) With 1...Rd5, attacking the pawn from the side with the option of swinging behind it later.
C) With 1...Rd1+, intending 2 Kg2 Ra1. Rooks belong behind passed pawns.
D) With 1...Kg7. The king should be centralized in endgames and the black monarch is going to have an integral part to play in this one.
Exercise 02
White to play
Which of the black pawns should the white rook opt to take?
A) The a‐pawn as it leaves White with a dangerous queenside majority.
B) The d‐pawn as it simultaneously leaves the white rook on the seventh rank.
C) The h5‐pawn as it is the most threatening of the lot.
D) None of them! Time is of the essence and White should give priority to the swift creation of a passed pawn of his own via 1 b4.
Exercise 03
White to play
Out of the selection below, what is the worst move that White could select?
A) 1 h5, i.e. pushing a passed pawn!
B) 1 g5, bringing a pawn nearer promotion.
C) 1 Rb7, monitoring Black's passed pawn.
D) 1 Kd2. The rook won't win the pawn on its own and needs the support of the king.
Exercise 04
Black to play
How should Black go about halting the white pawn?
A) With 1...Rb5, stopping it in its tracks.
B) Via 1...Rb4, cutting off the king.
C) Through 1...Rh1, wasting no time in getting behind it.
D) Calmly with 1...Kb2, initiating the necessary return of the king.
Exercise 05
White to play
Does White have any realistic chances of holding this endgame?
A) Yes, as long as his king grabs that a‐pawn immediately.
B) Yes, provided his rook cuts off the black king with 1 Rg8.
C) Yes, but only if he starts with 1 Rf8.
D) Not if Black plays sensibly.
Twenty Questions
A) Very well – connected pawns on the sixth rank always defeat a rook. The h‐pawns are irrelevant.
B) Very well. Without the h‐pawns Black would be lost but with them he is winning.
C) Alright if one is happy with a share of the spoils. The position is a draw.
Exercise 09
Black to play
Regarding this position, what is the truth?
A) Black is losing.
B) Black can draw but only with 1...Kc8.
C) Black can draw but only with 1...Ke8.
D) Black can draw with either 1...Kc8 or 1...Ke8.
Exercise 10
White to play
Does White have any chance of scrounging a draw?
A) Absolutely not. He is dead lost!
B) Yes, if he cuts off the enemy king with 1 Rb8.
C) Yes, if he traps the king on the back with 1 Rg2.
D) Yes, but he must start checking now. 1 Rg1+ hits the mark.
Exercise 11
White to play
Can you detect the only true statement out of the four that follow?
A) White is winning after 1 Rg8.
B) White is winning after 1 Ra8.
C) 1 Kd3 is a sensible and progressive move.
D) With best play Black draws.
Twenty Questions
Exercise 12
White to play
How does the rook fare against Black's connected passed pawns?
A) Well, provided it attacks the root pawn. 1 Rc7 is best.
B) Well, so long as White plays 1 Rd7.
C) White is winning but he should start with 1 Kb5.
D) Not great! In fact, White is losing.
Exercise 13
White to play
White to move can win by...
A) Centralizing his king via 1 Kf7.
B) Cutting off the black king through 1 Rf2.
C) Seeking out the opposition with 1 Rg1.
D) Preparing checks from the side with 1 Ra2.
Exercise 14
White to play
Can White defend this dangerous situation?
A) Yes, by employing the 'Philidor' technique via 1 Rg3+.
B) Yes, by playing 1 a4 and using the a‐pawn as a decoy.
C) Yes, by placing his rook behind the pawn now – 1 Rc8 is vital.
D) No, I'm afraid it is a little late for that now.
Exercise 15
White to play
Is there any way that White can draw this one?
A) Nope!
B) Yes. The 'safe' squares for the white king are h2 and g2 and thus 1 Kh3 sets that ball rolling.
C) This one is winning for White but an extra pawn on b5 makes it drawn.
D) This one is drawn but the additional pawn would tip the balance to a win.
Exercise 17
White to play
What's the story about this position?
A) White is winning.
B) Black is winning.
C) It's a draw.
D) It's a lot harder than any of the other positions in this quiz!
Twenty Questions
Exercise 18
White to play
Regarding the three pawns versus two pawns position above, only one of the following is factually correct. Which is it?
A) White is winning.
B) As the white king is trapped on the back rank, Black is winning.
C) White should easily draw and 1 Rc1 is a sensible way to start.
D) White should play actively. 1 Ra4 is a good move, when it should be drawn.
Exercise 19
White to play
How would you recommend White to start to defend this endgame?
A) With 1 Rd2 to guard the second rank.
B) With 1 g4 to get the majority going and give Black something to think about.