A list of puzzling questions: Chess edition
Editor’s note: Every week, we feature three questions from our quiz master Shantanu Sharma—who is a researcher-writer, and has a side hustle as a professional quiz guru. He’d love to hear from you—so send your feedback/suggestions or just say ‘hi’ over at sharmashantanu312@gmail.com or @shantorasbox on Twitter.
How this works: Every correct answer is worth 10 points. If a question has multiple parts, each is worth 5 points. You have until Friday 12 pm to send in your answers to talktous@splainer.in or via DMs on Insta or Twitter. The correct answers will be published every Tuesday—as will the monthly leaderboard. The grand prize for the winner at the end of the month: a quarterly subscription for anyone of your choice—including the option of adding three months to your sub. That’s Rs 899 in value—so it’s pretty darn good:) Rule to note: this is all about who sends in the correct answers first.
The answers to the previous week’s quiz are at the bottom.
One: This Hungary-born professor of Physics was dissatisfied with the inherent randomness of a certain system in chess. What standard—based on mathematics—did he devise that is now an integral part of the game’s vocabulary?
Two: Shown here is a classic chess opening by white, taking its name from the pawn sacrifice (c4) to gain control. What is this strategy called? Hint: The term became a part of pop culture a few years ago.
Three: Look at the brief clip below from a welcome vid for a chess event. Name the event—and identify the welcoming voice. (5+5)
About last week’s quiz…
Here are the answers to the third edition of the splainer quiz:
One: Which literary figure connects the two images below? Hint: It involves a weapon.
(a) A happy species of big cat, predominant in South America
(b) Two greats of literature—one born in Poland, the other in Russia
Answer: Salman Rushdie.
The weapon is a knife. ‘Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder’ (2024) is Salman Rushdie’s latest work, an account of the 2022 murder attempt on his life (also explained in our Big Story). This is his third memoir. In ‘The Jaguar Smile: A Nicaraguan Journey’ (1987), Rushdie recounts his 1986 travels to Nicaragua, a land caught in a stark tug-of-war. While, ‘Joseph Anton: A Memoir’ (2012) retells how Rushdie was forced to vanish into the shadows after the fatwa for writing ‘The Satanic Verses’ (1988). While underground, choosing an alias, he drew inspiration from his literary heroes Joseph Conrad and Anton Chekhov.
Two: Ahead of the UEFA Euro 2024, here is the jersey for a new kit for one of the teams—recently unveiled by Adidas. Which literary character—loved by children and adults alike—does it pay tribute to?
Answer: Tintin
The home kit maintains the classic red shade, synonymous with the national team, with players affectionately known as the Red Devils and Red Flames. However, the away kit pays homage to Belgian cartoonist Hergé and his legendary character, Tintin, the adventurous reporter. The blue jersey with a white collar, brown shorts, and white socks, mirrors Tintin’s signature attire. The globally renowned comic book series ‘Adventures of Tintin’ was first created in 1929, by Belgian cartoonist Hergé, the pen name of Georges Remi.
Three: The following paintings reimagine a late 15th century painting of a famous event in the Bible. The question is in two parts, each worth five points:
- Name the 15th century painting.
- Name the ‘Progressive’ artist who created the paintings below.
Answer: ‘The Last Supper’ and Francis Newton Souza
Leonardo da Vinci's ‘The Last Supper’ is among the most iconic paintings in the world. Created between 1494 and 1498, it portrays the final meal shared by Jesus and his disciples. Born in Saligao, Goa, FN Souza was one of the founding members of the Progressive Artists Group that shaped the Modern Art movement in India. The human aspects underscored in the story of Christ's Last Supper align seamlessly with Souza's interpretation of Christianity, as visible in the first painting. In Souza’s 1990 reinterpretation (second painting), the apostles’ contorted and disfigured faces echo the shock and dismay. Souza’s birth centenary was celebrated on April 12, 2024, with exhibitions to celebrate his enduring legacy.
And the winners are…
Here are the top five scorers for the fourth week of April. Congratulations!
