Chess Aptitude Test: How Do You Score?
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by Chad Kimball
Jonathan Levitt, an GM with a lot of chess experience
under his belt, created what I believe is one of the
most effective and simple, "self-tests" to determine
chess aptitude. This test is discussed in his book,
"Genius in Chess."
To take the test, you first need to know how to understand
the diagram of a chessboard in algebraic notation.
If you are an experienced chess player who is familiar
with chess notation, you can skip this paragraph and
move to the paragraph where I describe the test. In
algebraic chess notation, each row of the chess board
is assigned a number from 1 to 8, beginning with the
white side. Each column is described with a letter
from a to h, going from left to right from the white
side. Each square is described by a letter/number
combination according to the intersection of the column
and row that both contain that square. The lowermost
square, farthest to the left is h8. (If you are sitting
on the "white's" side of the board). As you will see
from the diagram on my website that I mentioned above,
the uppermost square, farthest to the right a1.
I've posted a visual diagram of a chess board illustrating
the algebraic notation method on my chess game strategies
site http://www.chessvictory.com.
Scroll to the bottom, and click on the resources link
to access the diagram. Now allow me to describe the
test:
This test requires some sort of timer or clock,
a chessboard, one white knight, and one black queen.
Place the white knight on square b1. Place the black
queen on square d4. The knight has to move all the
way around the board, visiting the following squares
in this order: c1, e1, f1, h1, a2, c2, e2, g2, h2,
and so on until you reach g8 (you won't be able to
visit h8 because it is controlled by the black queen).
During the test you cannot take the black queen, and
you cannot put the knight en prise at any point.
It is acceptable to visit the squares in the list
out of order, but only if you are using them to get
from c1 to e1, for example. However, these squares
must be visited again at the correct time in the order
listed above. Only do the test once, and time yourself.
Anyone who can complete the test in ten minutes or
less on their first try reveals, according to Levitt,
"real chess talent."
This test may seem simple at first glance, but it
will surely require intense concentration, a spacial
knowledge of the chess board, and the will to keep
going. Some people even give up after the first stage,
because it takes nine steps.
If you go to my chess tactics site http://www.chessvictory.com,
scroll to the bottom, and click on the resources link,
you can access the solution to this test, as well
as results, in seconds, of some very accomplished
chess players. Michael Adams, a world title contender,
took 330 seconds (5.5 minutes). Many other GMs in
the list required up to seven."
Take a break from your computer and try it!
If it takes you longer than 10 minutes, don't despair...
this test requires that you are able to think strategically
about the chess board, not simply memorize moves.
Most people who simply memorize moves, but don't
understand chess strategy, will have trouble with
the test. Strategic thinking (not simply memorizing
moves and tactics) essential to REAL chess aptitude.
Spacial aptitude is also quality that this test requires.
Both of these skills are learned from experience on
the chess board, good coaching, and consistent study.
About the Author
Chad Kimball publishes chess instruction books
and courses on the Internet. He is responsible for
bringing an exciting resource to the Internet: "The
Grandmaster Strategy Training Library." Click here
for more information on this 14 Volume Chess Resource:
http://www.chessvictory.com.
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