General Knowledge MCQs
Topic Notes: General Knowledge
MCQs and preparation resources for competitive exams, covering important concepts, past papers, and detailed explanations.
Plato
- Biography: Ancient Greek philosopher (427–347 BCE), student of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, founder of the Academy in Athens.
- Important Ideas:
- Theory of Forms
- Philosopher-King
- Ideal State
1
What is the move 'En Prise'?
Answer:
Leaving a piece exposed to capture without defense
A piece is 'en prise' if it is left in a position where it can be captured for free or for a profit by the opponent.
2
What is 'Perpetual Check'?
Answer:
A situation where a player forces a draw by checking the King endlessly
Perpetual check occurs when one player can check the opponent's King repeatedly without the King being able to escape, resulting in a draw.
3
What is the 'Opposition' in the endgame?
Answer:
A situation where Kings face each other with one square in between
Opposition is a key concept in King and Pawn endgames where Kings face off, and the side *not* to move has the advantage (holds the opposition).
4
Which piece is worth approximately 3 pawns?
Answer:
Bishop or Knight
Both Bishops and Knights are considered 'minor pieces' and are valued at approximately 3 pawns each.
5
What is 'Fianchettoing' your Bishop primarily for?
Answer:
Controlling the long diagonal
Fianchetto places the Bishop on the long diagonal (e.g., g2), allowing it to exert influence across the entire board.
6
What is 'Armageddon' in chess?
Answer:
A sudden death game where Black has draw odds
In an Armageddon game, White has more time but must win. If the game ends in a draw, Black is declared the winner.
7
What is the 'Back Rank'?
Answer:
The 1st and 8th ranks
The back rank refers to the row where the major pieces start (rank 1 for White, rank 8 for Black).
8
Which piece is most effective in closed positions?
Answer:
Knight
Knights are excellent in closed positions because they can jump over pawn chains that block Bishops and Rooks.
9
What is a 'GM Norm'?
Answer:
A performance benchmark required to earn the Grandmaster title
To become a GM, a player usually needs to achieve three 'Norms', which are high-level performances in specific tournaments.
10
Who was the first Indian Grandmaster?
Answer:
Viswanathan Anand
Viswanathan Anand became India's first Grandmaster in 1988 and later became World Champion.