In many times you are playing chess games for sure you’re wondering how you will earn score in the game. The only thing that comes up in your mind is when you capture you opponent’s piece. Yes, each chess piece has an equivalent point. A pawn represents the lowest point and the queen has the highest one. However, there’s another way to score in the game and this is done by determining moves on the board. This method is also considered as aptitude test or “self-test”. This test requires timer and a chess set.

Before taking the test, you will need to understand chess notation first. In many chess games, an algebraic chess notation is widely used, even in online chess games. If you’re an experienced player and has the idea about this method, you can simply live this paragraph and proceed to the next one. There, you will understand what aptitude test is. For novice players, algebraic notation goes like this. As we all know, the chess board is made up of64 squares. In algebraic notation, each row is represented by numbers from 1 to 8 and columns are represented by letters from A to H. Each square is therefore represented by the combination of letters and numbers. So let’s say for instance, you’re knight lies on row A number one, then you’re on “A1” as simple as that.

Aside from timer and chess board, you’ll also need one knight (white) and one queen (black). The aptitude test will start by placing the knight on b1 and the queen on d4. In this test, the knight will move around the board to visit the following squares in logical order: (c1, e1, f1, h1, a2 and until it reach g8) of course, you won’t go to h8 because the queen is present there. In this test, you can’t take the black queen out of the chess board. Likewise, you’re not allowed to emprise the knight in any square you want.

At first, you this test seem so easy. But then, it requires proper logic and serious mental concentration. Anyone can complete the test in just 5 to ten minutes. But oops, take note that many individuals gave up because it will take almost nine moves to get it. The moves might easy to perform. The only problem is on how you will do it logically. Don’t worry time is not a huge factor here. The clock is then present to determine how fast you are. But then, it’s regardless on how you can do it right.

If it takes and hour, don’t be disappointed. This test is just to see how you’ll do it strategically. Some people memorize chess moves but don’t have any idea about chess strategy. In a real chess match, they just keep on moving forward without considering the logic of every move. Many chess aficionados lost their game in this way. Strategic thinking is actually different from memorizing moves. In a real chess match, you can’t memorize your opponent’s move. You have no idea about his or her plans. But then, you can think strategically all the time. Thus this aptitude test has an important role in determining how strategic you are.