The Chess Personality Test
7/20/2020 – Tell me who you are, and I tell you which opening you should learn. I once made a similar personality study in my chess course on Skillshare and received a lot of nice comments about how fun it was. What better day to share a similar test than International Chess Day? Keep in mind, the whole test shouldn't be taken too seriously. It should be fun to think about yourself and what kind of openings you prefer to play, that's all. | Photos: Pixabay
Fundamentals of Chess Openings
Starting out in chess is difficult, and this DVD aims to reduce that stress. Designed for beginner levels in openings, a brief introduction to the reasons we play some of the most common moves in popular openings like the Spanish and Sicilian is given.
The Chess Personality Test
This is a visual personality test, defining which kind of openings you prefer to play. Kindly note that it is a fun test, but perhaps some glimpses of truth may shine through. I played this test with some colleagues and it was surprisingly accurate.
All you need to do is answer the six questions coming up and write down the chosen answer. You can also take a look at what all the other participants have chosen.
Car
Which of the shown cars would you identify with the most? Which car represents your character the best?
4X4
Mini
Classic
Sport
Car
Animal
Which of the shown animals would you identify with the most? Which animal represents your character the best?
Cat
Dog
Horse
Dolphin
Animal
Element
Which of the following elements do you prefer the most? Which element has a special connection to you?
Earth
Fire
Water
Air
Element
Shape
Which of the following shapes do you prefer the most? Which shape has a special connection to you?
Circle
Triangle
Square
Hexagon
Shape
White
Which of the four positions would you prefer to have the most as a White player. Which of the opening structures do you choose to have in a chess game?
White
Black
Which of the four positions would you prefer to have the most as a Black player. Which of the opening structures do you choose to have in a chess game?
Black
Results
That was it. You wrote down a car, an animal, an element, a shape and your preferred opening positions as White and Black.
In the table below, you can calculate your own personality. Just tally how many times you chose each letter and the one with the highest score will be the winner. Then check the openings we suggest you to look into or try out for the first time!
Car |
Animal |
Element |
Shape |
White |
Black |
| 4X4 = B | Cat = C | Earth = B | Circle = D | 1 = A | 1 = D |
| Mini = D | Dog = B | Fire = C | Triangle = C | 2 = B | 2 = C |
| Classic = A | Horse = D | Water = D | Square = B | 3 = D | 3 = B |
| Sport = C | Dolphin = A | Air = A | Hexagon = A | 4 = C | 4 = A |
If you have chosen more than one letter equally, take a look at both (or even all three) options. You will simply have a wider repertoire!
Suggestions
A = Gambits & Uncommon Openings
(Adventurous, Freedom, Creative, Chaotic, Complicated, Experimental, Curious, Unusual)
Our suggestions:
- Evans Gambit for the new Generation - Simon Williams
- The Benko Gambit Explained - Erwin L'Ami
- A Gambit Guide through the Open Game Vol. 1 and 2 - Erwin L'Ami
- Powerplay 27: The King's Gambit - Daniel King
B = Semi-Open Games & Flanking Games
(Disciplined, Dependable, Tactical, Strategical, Team Player, Dutiful, Theoretic, Solid)
Our suggestions:
- Marin's English love Vol. 1 and 2 - Mihal Marin
- The Shining Sveshnikov Sicilian - Erwin L'Ami
- Mastering the Sicilian Najdorf - Yannick Pelletier
- How to slay the Sicilian Vol. 1 to 3 - Pruijssers/Zwirs
C = Open Games
(Energetic, Talkative, Thoughtful, Sportive, Extrovert, Reliable, Powerful, Talented)
Our suggestions:
- Attacking with the Italian Game and the Ruy Lopez - Sergej Tiviakov
- The Modern Scotch Opening - Parimajan Negi
- My Black Secrets in the Modern Italian - Wesley So
- Navigating the Ruy Lopez Vol. 1 to 3 - Fabiano Caruana
D = Closed Games, Fianchetto & Indian Defences
(Introvert, Emotional, Trustful, Safe, Joyful, Harmonic, Natural, Protective)
Our suggestions:
- Queen's Gambit Declined - D'Costa/Murphy
- Play The Fianchetto - Nicholas Pert
- King's Indian: A Modern Approach - Victor Bologan
- The London System - Simon Williams
| Advertising |
Rather accurate test as it has to do with chess position.
Poorly planned and executed. Pop-psychology at it's worst and a sad attempt at advertising.
Happy International Chess Day to all. This was fun.
Nice concept for this article. And the assessment of my preference is rather accurate, Cheers!
1
