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London Chess Classic - 2010 Trivia Quiz

This is a brief quiz about the London Chess Classic chess tournament held December 8th through the 15th, 2010.

A multiple-choice quiz by christopherm. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
christopherm

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
333,036

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
208

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The winner of this tournament was determined by a scoring system not usually associated with chess. It is more in accord with which of the following sports? Hint

soccer/football

golf

tennis

bowling

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Question 2 of 10

2. This tournament hosted an extraordinary field of top players. This young Scandinavian grandmaster emerged at the top of the field to win first place. Who was declared winner of the tournament? Hint

David Howell

Nigel Short

Magnus Carlsen

Michael Adams

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which then current or former world champion placed second in the tournament? (hint: He hails from India) Hint

Anatoly Karpov

Vladimir Kramnik

Vishy Anand

Garry Kasparov

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Question 4 of 10

4. In the very first round of the tournament, Vishy Anand played Hikaru Nakamura. In a game that went 74 moves, Anand had accumulated a two pawn advantage. What was the result of the game? (hint: Anand could not press his advantage.) Hint

Nakamura won on time.

Anand won on material points awarded.

Anand won in the endgame.

It was a draw.

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Question 5 of 10

5. In one of the most exciting games in the tournament, played in the first round between two of the top grandmasters from England, Michael Adams vs. David Howell, Adams emerges with a spectacular win. How did the game end? Hint

He won with a brilliant checkmate in the center of the board.

He won on time in the second time control period.

Adams won with a rook sacrifice in the endgame.

Howell fell asleep at the board and lost by forfeit.

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which former chess world champion presented the winner's check and trophy to the winner of the tournament? His middle name is Kimovich. Hint

Paul Morphy

Garry Kasparov

Bobby Fischer

Duncan Suttles

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Question 7 of 10

7. A guest of honor appeared at the tournament to provide a simultaneous exhibition. He has never been the world champion, but he has vied for the championship on many occasions. He was born in Leningrad. Can you name him? Hint

Boris Spassky

Viktor Korchnoi

Anatoly Karpov

Jose Capablanca

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Question 8 of 10

8. There have been many arguments as whether chess may be considered a sport. This question was explored by Don Riddell on which prominent news network? Hint

Fishing Channel

Hoboken Hillbilly Network

CNN

News for Nerds

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Question 9 of 10

9. In a field this strong, someone has to occupy the bottom position. Can you name the player who finished at the bottom of the cross table? (hint: He is from England) Hint

Vishy Anand

Magnus Carlsen

Nigel Short

Vladimir Kramnik

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Question 10 of 10

10. This brilliant prodigy from England finished in a tie for second place. He was one of the two players to defeat the ultimate winner of the contest. Who is he? Hint

Hikaru Nakamura

Vladimir Kramnik

Vishy Anand

Luke McShane

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The winner of this tournament was determined by a scoring system not usually associated with chess. It is more in accord with which of the following sports?

Answer: soccer/football

The new scoring system was adopted in order to reward players for winning more games. A win garners 3 points (instead of 2 pts for a win). A draw is awarded 1 point and, of course, there are no points given for a loss. This scoring system places a burden upon the player to make an extra effort to play for the win.

2. This tournament hosted an extraordinary field of top players. This young Scandinavian grandmaster emerged at the top of the field to win first place. Who was declared winner of the tournament?

Answer: Magnus Carlsen

Magnus Carlsen, the brilliant prodigy from Norway was awarded top prize with a score of thirteen points. After this impressive win, he attained the top position on the ratings chart. It should be noted, however, that had this tournament utilized traditional scoring (2 pts for a win instead of 3 pts), it would have resulted in a three-way tie for first place.

.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . W D L pts
Magnus Carlsen .... 4 1 2 13
Viswanathan Anand 2 5 0 11
Luke J McShane .... 2 5 0 11

3. Which then current or former world champion placed second in the tournament? (hint: He hails from India)

Answer: Vishy Anand

Vishy Anand, hailing from India, placed second in the tournament, based on the scoring system. It might be said that his play was a bit too conservative. He did finish the tournament without a single loss, though.

Answer: It was a draw.

Even though Anand held a material advantage of two pawns, he could not covert this into a win. The doubled pawns on the F file were successfully blockaded by Nakamura's stubborn and resilient defense.

Answer: He won with a brilliant checkmate in the center of the board.

In a game somewhat unusual between the highest caliber of players, Adams forced a checkmate with Howell's King on d6. Adams issued the checkmate with a rook, queen and a check with the knight on e4.

Here is the game: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. O-O Nxe4 5. d4 Be7 6. Qe2 Nd6 7. Bxc6 bxc6 8. dxe5 Nb7 9. c4 O-O 10. Nc3 f6 11. Re1 fxe5 12. Qxe5 Bf6 13. Qg3 Nc5 14. Bg5 Nd3 15. Re3 Nxb2 16. Rae1 Bxg5 17. Nxg5 Qf6 18. Rf3 Qd8 19. Nce4 Ba6 20. Nxh7 Rxf3 21. gxf3 Kxh7 22. Ng5+ Kg8 23. Qh4 Bxc4 24. Qh7+ Kf8 25. Re5 Be6 26. Qh8+ Ke7 27. Qxg7+ Kd6 28. Ne4#

6. Which former chess world champion presented the winner's check and trophy to the winner of the tournament? His middle name is Kimovich.

Answer: Garry Kasparov

It was a grand moment for the tournament organizers to welcome the celebrated Garry Kasparov to the tournament for the awards ceremony and a book signing. Duncan Suttles is one of the best players ever to represent Canada. He is currently inactive in over the board play. Sadly, Fischer and Morphy passed away before this tournament.

Answer: Viktor Korchnoi

Viktor Korchnoi was one of the many brilliant chess players produced by the "Soviet School of Chess." Unfortunately, he never could reach the pinnacle of chess achievement in gaining the world championship. He provided two wonderful simultaneous exhibitions at the London Chess Classic.

8. There have been many arguments as whether chess may be considered a sport. This question was explored by Don Riddell on which prominent news network?

Answer: CNN

In a surprising departure from the regular sports coverage, CNN hosted a very nice interview with Vishy Anand. Don Riddell is based in London, so it was appropriate that he covered the London Chess Classic with an invigorating interview with Anand.

9. In a field this strong, someone has to occupy the bottom position. Can you name the player who finished at the bottom of the cross table? (hint: He is from England)

Answer: Nigel Short

There is nothing to be ashamed about for finishing at the bottom of the cross table in such a strong event. Nigel Short was a phenomenal prodigy having gained the highest ranking in professional chess (International Grandmaster) at the tender age of 19. Unfortunately, this just wasn't his time to shine.

10. This brilliant prodigy from England finished in a tie for second place. He was one of the two players to defeat the ultimate winner of the contest. Who is he?

Answer: Luke McShane

In a scintillating performance, Luke McShane did not lose a single game. He won a world championship category for his age group at the tender age of eight. This tournament was a fine performance for him.

Source: Author christopherm

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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