Chess Crossword

RCA Crossword Contest

 "The ultimate victory in competition is derived from the inner satisfaction of knowing that you have done your best and that you have gotten the most out of what you had to give." 

~ Howard Cosell

This is a chess crossword prepared by GM Igor's lovely wife, 'Alyona'. To make it more entertaining, RCA team decided to host a solving competition with this crossword puzzle.

The "RCA Crossword Contest" will run from 31 August till Thursday, 8 September (last day to send in answers). For more details about the contest mechanics and such, you can check RCA's main page @chess-teacher.com

Contest Details

How will the winners be chosen? Downloadable Files, Send "Crossword Answers" File, Top Prizes, FAQ Section, and more... @ Chess Crossword Puzzle

"Are you UP for the CHALLENGE and be able to solve the whole chess crossword RIGHTLY?"

Chess Crossword

						1												2
1, 3															2					4
		5									3
4								6		5
					6								7									8
										7											8
						9										10
10			11													11
								12			12
13													14
					15										16
				15
								17 16
																18 17
		19						20
															21						18
								22			19			20							23
	24		21											25			22
			26					23			27
		28
														29

Crossword Questionnaire

Horizontal:

1. A strategy explored by Nimzovich, where you prevent your opponent from taking action in a certain area for fear of reprisal.

2. A lineup of pieces that move similarly on a single file or diagonal, usually pointing toward a critical point in the enemy's camp.

3. The line that is named by the coordinates of the start and end squares.

4. The beginning phase of a game, usually the first 10-15 moves. 

5. The phase of the game between the opening and endgame.

6. The strongest piece in chess.

7. Where the current position of the game favors one side over another.

8. The step of the piece on the chessboard.

9. A sacrifice and forced sequence of moves to gain a certain advantage.

10. Any of the 32 movable objects used to play the game.

11. Placement of a rook or queen on a rank or file, or a bishop or queen on a diagonal to exert control over it.

12. The period allotted for playing the game.

13. German for "time trouble".

14. A defensive blockade to keep out the enemy forces, especially the king.

15. A game that ends in a tie where each player is awarded half a point.

16. An advanced square which cannot be attacked by a hostile piece of inferior rank.

17. A row of eight squares from one end of the chessboard to the other.

18. Known and played variations and positions in any phase of the game.

19. The lure of an opponent’s piece to a square that is particularly vulnerable.

20. An aggressive move or series of moves in a certain area of the board.

21. Traps, threats, and plans based on the calculation of combinations or variations.

22. The most important piece in chess.

23. The most numerous piece in the game of chess. 

24. Any move or plan that is intended to meet or stop an enemy's threats or attack.

25. Voluntarily offering material in exchange for a perceived favorable advantage other than the material gained.

26. A row of eight squares across the chessboard.

27. A novel move or idea in an established line of play.

28. A pawn or square that is difficult to defend.

29. That piece changes the color of the square it stands on with each move.

Vertical:

1. A short or long-term goal which a player bases his moves on.

2. A position in which the player whose turn it is to move has no legal move but is not in check.

3. When a pawn reaches the final rank, it can be turned into another piece (except a pawn or king), usually a queen.

4. This piece was called the tower, marquess, rector, and comes.

5. The half of the board from which the queen starts. The a, b, c, and d files.

6. Threatening the capture of the enemy king, such that it cannot escape.

7. The act of moving the king and rook simultaneously.

8. The arrangement of the pieces on the board at any given moment.

9. Aggressive actions by the defender.

10. A system of symbols and coordinates for recording the moves of a game.

11. The four squares e4, d4, e5 and d5.

12. The final phase of the game when there are few pieces left on the board.

13. A position where a player would prefer to pass his move (but, of course cannot, as it is illegal) as any move damages his game.

14. A form of double attack where one piece threatens two enemy pieces at the same time.

15. Immobilization of an enemy pawn by placing a piece (preferably a knight) on the square directly in front of it.

16. The files that do not belong to the center, that is the a, b and c files on the queenside, and the f, g and h files on the kingside.

17. A hidden method of luring the opponent into making an error.

18. The area of the chess board controlled by each side.

19. Where the first player voluntarily sacrifices a pawn or piece in the opening for positional or developmental advantage.

20. That piece moves diagonally any number of squares, forwards or backwards.

21. All pawns and pieces are units of force.

22. A measure of a player's skill, calculated as a number using a generally accepted formula by an official organization.

23. A move or series of moves designed to gain an advantage, but which has a chance of causing a disadvantage.