Musical Instruments
Pittsburgh
Chess
Fantasy Books
100

An instrument you play by pressing one of 88 keys, causing a hammer to strike a string.

What is a piano?

100

This is the tallest and strongest chess piece, and part of the name of a recent Netflix show starring Anya Taylor-Joy.

What is a Queen?

100

This series, based on a Wagner opera/German epic, follows a young man's attempt to return a piece of jewelry to the manufacturer in a sketchy neighborhood. His friends help; a spider does not. The series resulted in three books, a cartoon, Oscar-winning live action films, and an Amazon Prime spinoff.

What is the Lord of the Rings?

200

Not a piano! This instrument looks like a piano, but produces sound by manipulating electric waves, so it can sound like basically anything. Think elevator Muzak, '80's r&b, Van Halen's "Jump", Ghostbusters, etc. 

What is a synthesizer?

200

The sandwich shop Primanti's is known for putting these unusual toppings on deli meat sandwiches. 

What are french fries and cole slaw?

200

This is a chess move where the king can move two spaces instead of one. The name sounds kind of like a building.

What is castling?

200

This series was written by a friend of the author of the 100pt answer (the 100pt author told this series' author that this series was very bad). This series follows the adventures of three children. Recurring elements include a closet, a talking lion, the overwhelming power of the human spirit, and an old fashioned British dessert.

What is the Chronicles of Narnia?

300

Not a piano! This instrument has been popular since the Baroque era. You may hear it at a wedding. You play it by pressing a key or foot pedal, causing wind to blow through a tube.

What is an organ?

300

Although he got bored of being the World Champion, this Norwegian grandmaster is still the highest-ranked player in the world (and arguably the most famous)

Who is Magnus Carlsen?

300

This series takes place on a flat world on the backs of four giant elephants who circle the shell of giant turtle swimming through space. It was the most popular British fantasy series before Harry Potter, and supposedly remained the most shoplifted.

What is Discworld?

400

Not a piano! An instrument, popular in the Baroque and Classical eras, that you play by pressing a key, which causes a "plectrum" to pluck a string.

What is a harpsichord?

400

1. e4 is the most common opening for White. The answer to this question is Black's most common response to 1. e4. Hint: this answer includes a place name

What is the Sicilian (Defense)?

400

Written by a former NYT staff reviewer of sci-fi/fantasy, the characters of this epic trilogy manipulate (and break?) the earth using magic. This is the only book series to have won the Hugo Award three years in a row. 

What is the Broken Earth trilogy?

500

Not a piano! An instrument, popular in the Renaissance and Baroque eras, that you play by pressing a key, which causes a "tangent" to strike a string.

What is a clavichord?

500

This chess grandmaster, currently ranked #39 in the world, seems to only wear Balenciaga clothing in public and helped Magnus Carlsen earn his last World Championship title

Who is Daniil Dubov?

500

This recent novel follows a self-professed government bureaucrat's assignment to audit a state-run orphanage where neither the wards nor the staff are quite as they seem. The title includes a color and there is a sequel (with more on the way?)

What is The House in the Cerulean Sea?

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