How the A+ Chess Puzzle contest works
UIL runs it in three divisions: grades 2–3, 4–5 and 6–8. Each takes a 30-minute multiple-choice test of chess diagrams, marked a to d on a separate answer sheet: 16 questions for grades 2–3, 20 for grades 4–8. Then everyone takes the same 8-question tiebreaker in 5 minutes.
A right answer scores 1 point and nothing comes off for wrong or blank answers, so guess rather than leave a gap. The tiebreaker is graded only for students who are tied. Answer choices leave out the check and mate signs, because they would give the answer away.
What the questions ask
- whether Black is in check, checkmated, stalemated or none of these
- who is ahead in material (queen 9, rook 5, bishop and knight 3, pawn 1)
- whether castling, en passant or a capture is legal, and what to promote to
- who wins a king and pawn ending with best play
- which piece to take, which piece can pin, and the best move
- mate in one and mate in two, including the second move of a mate
Example: the en passant question
“Black's last move was d7 to d5. Which Black pawn can White capture now?” A White pawn on e5 or c5 can take the d-pawn en passant, landing on d6, but only on this move. A pawn on e4 can't, and neither can one whose capture would leave its own king in check.
Using it with a class
Share link gives every student the same test. Versions A to F are different tests under the same code, handy for seating neighbors apart. Print the test and answer sheet for students and the key for yourself.
Questions
Are these the real UIL tests?
No. Texas Tech writes UIL's tests, and past ones are on UIL's A+ Chess Puzzle page. These are new tests in the same format, from the Lichess open puzzle database plus positions made here for the rule questions.
How many questions are on the UIL chess puzzle test?
Grades 2–3 answer 16 questions and grades 4–8 answer 20 in 30 minutes, then 8 tiebreakers in 5 minutes. The rules call for about 20 puzzles, and the answer sheet marks questions 17 to 20 as grades 4–8 only.
How is the chess puzzle contest scored?
One point per right answer, nothing off for wrong or blank ones, and nothing for finishing early. Ties are broken by the tiebreaker score; if that is level too, the tie stands.
What notation do the tests use?
Figurine algebraic: a small piece picture, then the square, like a knight followed by f7. Pawn moves show only the square, and × means a capture. White pawns move up the diagram and Black pawns move down.
How do you know the answers are right?
A computer checks every question. Mates are proven by trying every defense, rule questions use the full list of legal moves, and king and pawn endings come from a complete table of those endings. Best moves come from Lichess puzzles where only one move works.
Can castling happen if the king has moved before?
No, castling needs a king and rook that have never moved. A diagram can't show that, so here a king and rook on their starting squares count as unmoved.
When are A+ meets held this year?
In 2026–27 there are three sets of meets: Set A from October 1 to November 30, Set B from December 1 to January 31 and Set C from February 1 to May 29, according to UIL's A+ calendar. Your district picks its set and date.
Sources: UIL A+ Chess Puzzle, UIL rules, Section 1416, 2026–27 A+ calendar, Texas Tech UIL Chess Puzzle page. Positions from the Lichess puzzle database (CC0). Chess pieces by Colin M. L. Burnett, BSD license (credits).
Chess Puzzle Practice is an independent study tool. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by UIL or Texas Tech University, and it uses no official test questions.