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Quiz about Chess Symbols and Annotations

Chess Symbols and Annotations Trivia Quiz

This is a quiz about the symbols used for annotations of chess games as recognized by FIDE. Unfortunately, I can't make all the symbols used, so some will be descriptions.

A multiple-choice quiz by christopherm. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
christopherm

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
350,775

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
388

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following symbols is used to denote that White has a decisive advantage? Hint

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following symbols denotes checkmate or mate? Hint

O-O

O-O-O

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Question 3 of 10

3. A circle with a dot in the center is used to designate which of the following?
(Hint: the player to move is likely to lose.) Hint

zwischenzug

zugzwang

bullseye

zero

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following symbols denotes not only a good move, but an excellent move? Hint

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Question 5 of 10

5. What does the symbol "N" represent (as an annotation, not for a Knight)? Hint

next to nothing

no good

novelty

nothing

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Question 6 of 10

6. The infinity symbol after a move makes an editorial statement about a position. What does it mean? Hint

It's time to buy a new watch.

The game will linger on forever.

The position is unclear.

It's time to visit the casino.

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Question 7 of 10

7. You might question why, but what is the notation for an egregious blunder? Hint

*&^

(bm)

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Question 8 of 10

8. An arrow pointed toward the right has a significant meaning. What does it denote? (Think: Vladimir Vukovic) Hint

Going east

Defending

Attacking

Running away

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Question 9 of 10

9. We are nearly at the end of our quest. This question will give you a rest. Which of the following symbols denotes an equal position? Hint

+-+

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Question 10 of 10

10. This annotation is represented by a single square. In French it means, le seul coup, or in Spanish it is, unica jugada. What does this mean in English? Hint

last man standing

only move

dragon breath

united pawns

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following symbols is used to denote that White has a decisive advantage?

Answer: +-

The +- symbol indicates that White has a decisive advantage. Generally speaking, this means that White should be able to win the game.

2. Which of the following symbols denotes checkmate or mate?

Answer: #

Checkmate or mate rarely occurs at the highest levels of chess play. When it does happen, the symbol, "#," is used to denote checkmate on the score sheet or in the annotations of the game.

3. A circle with a dot in the center is used to designate which of the following? (Hint: the player to move is likely to lose.)

Answer: zugzwang

The influence of German chess terms into contemporary literature is enormous. This is a prime example. A circle with a dot in the center represents "zugzwang," which means that the player to move is obligated to move into an inferior position.

4. Which of the following symbols denotes not only a good move, but an excellent move?

Answer: !!

Two exclamation marks after a move indicates that it is an excellent move by the annotators and editors. It's somewhat difficult to be awarded this annotation, so the move must be something extraordinary.

5. What does the symbol "N" represent (as an annotation, not for a Knight)?

Answer: novelty

The symbol "N" after a move represents a novelty or theoretical novelty. That is to say, it is a move which has not been previously analyzed or recorded in popular chess literature.

6. The infinity symbol after a move makes an editorial statement about a position. What does it mean?

Answer: The position is unclear.

The infinity symbol placed after a move indicates that the position is unclear or uncertain. In simple terms, it suggests that further exploration is required.

7. You might question why, but what is the notation for an egregious blunder?

Answer: ??

A move that is considered horrible and a grave error is given two question marks. We have all made moves deserving of this annotation. Well, at least I have. The lesson to be learned is to avoid these errors in the future.

8. An arrow pointed toward the right has a significant meaning. What does it denote? (Think: Vladimir Vukovic)

Answer: Attacking

The symbol of an arrow pointed to the right indicates that the player on move has the attack. An arrow pointed up means that the player has the initiative. Vladimir Vukovic wrote the classic, "Art of the Attack," which is one of the books that every aspiring master should study.

9. We are nearly at the end of our quest. This question will give you a rest. Which of the following symbols denotes an equal position?

Answer: =

The venerable "=" sign indicates that neither player has a significant advantage or even a slight advantage for that matter. The position has been adjudicated as being equal for both players.

10. This annotation is represented by a single square. In French it means, le seul coup, or in Spanish it is, unica jugada. What does this mean in English?

Answer: only move

The single square annotation indicates that the player only has one possible move, either to avoid a significant loss of material, a forced move, or to avoid checkmate. Hence, the designation, "only move."

Source: Author christopherm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor WesleyCrusher before going online.
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