Q 01/05

Whom did Wilhelm Steinitz beat in the 1886 match recognised as the first world championship?

A) Joseph Blackburne

B) Mikhail Chigorin

C) Johannes Zukertort

D) Isidor Gunsberg

Answer · why

C) Johannes Zukertort

Johannes Zukertort won four of the first five games in New York, then wilted as the match moved on to St. Louis and New Orleans, losing by ten wins to...

Q 02/05

Which champion held the world chess title longest, for 27 years?

A) Wilhelm Steinitz

B) Emanuel Lasker

C) José Raúl Capablanca

D) Mikhail Botvinnik

Answer · why

B) Emanuel Lasker

Emanuel Lasker reigned from 1894 to 1921. After beating Steinitz again in 1897 he went ten years without a title match, then faced four challengers in...

Q 03/05

Which reigning champion died in 1946, leaving the title vacant and prompting FIDE to take over?

A) José Raúl Capablanca

B) Max Euwe

C) Wilhelm Steinitz

D) Alexander Alekhine

Answer · why

D) Alexander Alekhine

Alexander Alekhine was found dead in a hotel room in Portugal while arranging a title match with Botvinnik. He is the only champion to have died holdi...

Q 04/05

The 1948 tournament for the vacant world chess title began in The Hague and finished in which city?

A) Prague

B) Budapest

C) Moscow

D) Leningrad

Answer · why

C) Moscow

Moscow. Five players took part after Reuben Fine declined his place, and Botvinnik won by three clear points, the first of the Soviet champions who he...

Q 05/05

Under which new body did Kasparov and Short play their 1993 match after breaking from FIDE?

A) World Chess Council

B) Professional Chess Association

C) Grand Chess Federation

D) International Chess Union

Answer · why

B) Professional Chess Association

Professional Chess Association. FIDE answered by stripping Kasparov of its title and staging a rival match, which left chess with two world champions ...