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Chess.com University Prodigy Program General Placement Exam Kairav Joshi, President of Chess.com UniversityThe purpose of this exam is to determine the proper placement for studentsregistered for Chess.com University’s Prodigy Program. Performance on this exam isthe key measure for determining which section (900, 1200, or 1500 ELO) we believeis best for students who do not already have real over-the-board ratings.There is only one entrance exam for all three sections. All students are to completethe same problems. With that said, performance requirements for students wantingto join the 1500 section are significantly higher than those wanting to join the 1200section. Those wanting to join the 900 section do not need to take this exam. Thosewho want to join the 1200 section must take this exam unless if they already have areal over-the-board rating above 1200 which we recognize such as FIDE, USCF, CFC,etc. Similarly, those wanting to join the 1500 section must take this exam andperform well unless if they already have a real 1500 rating.There are two parts to this exam. Record your responses for both parts on theanswer sheet provided on the next page. Also fill out the short form asking for basicstudent information. Save this PDF file with your responses included. Submit yourresponses to us by sending an email to kairavjoshi@chess.com with the completedPDF file attached.Use the following heading for the subject line in the email:Prodigy Program Placement Exam
Student InformationNAME: EMAIL:CHESS.COM USERNAME:SECTION TESTING FOR: OFFICIAL ELO RATING (if applicable):Answer Sheet#1: #2: #3: #4:#5: #6: #7: #8:#9: #10:#11: #12:#13: #14:#15:#16:#17:#18:#19:#20:
Section 1There are 15 problems in this section.You are allowed to spend only 1 minute per problem.Problem 1: White to MoveFEN: 1n6/N1pbrp1k/1p1p4/3P1p2/1PPBn3/P6P/5PP1/4R1K1 w - - 0 31What is White’s best move?
Problem 2: Black to MoveFEN: 1R b - - 0 14What is Black’s best move?Problem 3: White to MoveFEN: R1BNR w kq - 0 11What is White’s best move?
Problem 4: White to MoveFEN: 3r1k2/p6Q/3r1p2/1p5p/3B3P/2P2P2/q1P2KP1/3R3R w - - 0 33What is White’s best move?Problem 5: White to MoveFEN: KB1R w KQ - 0 13What is White’s best move?
Problem 6: Black to MoveFEN: R b KQkq - 0 6What is Black’s best move?Problem 7: White to MoveFEN: r1bqkb1r/pp1npppp/2p2n2/8/3PN3/8/PPP1QPPP/R1B1KBNR w KQkq - 0 6What is White’s best move?
Problem 8: Black to MoveFEN: 3r1rk1/p4ppp/7q/2R1b3/P3P3/1P1b1RP1/3NN2P/4Q1K1 b - - 0 22What is Black’s best move?Problem 9: White to MoveFEN: QK2R w KQkq - 0 4Identify two good moves for White. Which move is your favorite?
Problem 10: Black to MoveFEN: R b KQkq - 0 5Identify two great moves for Black.Problem 11: White to MoveFEN: rnbqkbnr/pp1p1ppp/8/4p3/3pP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 4Identify two good moves for White. Which move is your favorite?
Problem 12: White to MoveFEN: rnbq1rk1/p1p2ppp/1p2pb2/8/3P4/5NP1/PPP2PBP/R1BQK2R w KQ - 0 9Identify two good moves for White. Which move is best?Problem 13: White to MoveFEN: 6k1/8/6K1/8/5R2/8/8/8 w - - 0 1How quickly can White win? Provide a sample continuation.
Problem 14: White to MoveFEN: 8/8/4k3/4pN2/3b4/5KR1/8/8 w - - 0 0How should White play here?Problem 15: White to MoveFEN: 8/3k4/8/4K3/3P4/8/8/8 w - - 0 1What is White’s best move?
Section 2There are 5 problems in this section. This section is untimed. Think well!Problem 16: Black to MoveFEN: 8/1k3ppp/6P1/1K3P1P/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 0Can Black save this position or is it lost? If Black can draw, identify Black’s best move.Problem 17: Black to MoveFEN: 8/3k4/8/3KP3/8/8/8/8 b - - 0 1Black has 5 legal moves. Evaluate each move. Which moves lose for Black? Which moves draw for Black?
Problem 18: Black to MoveFEN: Q2Rnk1b/4pr1p/p4qp1/8/3p4/6P1/P2P3P/4R2K b - - 0 28Does 1 Qf3 here make any sense for Black? Why or why not?Problem 19: White to MoveFEN: 2r2k2/p3p3/3r1n2/1p2Q1Np/3B3P/2P2P2/q1P2KP1/3R3R w - - 0 29White is not far from winning this game. Let’s solidify our position. What is the best way to defend c2?
Problem 20: White to MoveFEN: BQ1RK1 w - - 0 10Black just played d5. Was this move playable for Black or was it a mistake? Either way, analyze theposition thoroughly and try to find the best moves for both sides several moves deep. Evaluate theresulting position. What is White’s best move here? Provide the best move and optimal continuation.You have now completed the Chess.com University Prodigy Program Placement Exam! Remember tosubmit your answers to kairavjoshi@chess.com by November 22nd, 2014 if you wish to start theprogram on its first day - November 29th, 2014.
registered for Chess.com University’s Prodigy Program. Performance on this exam is the key measure for determining which section (900, 1200, or 1500 ELO) we believe is best for students who do not already have real over-the-board ratings. There is only one entrance exam for all three
