Shaun’s guide to becoming a quiz master

HISTORY is the secret to being a quizzing expert, insists Chase star Shaun Wallace, who this week marks five years of columns for the Sunday Express.

Trusting your instinct and not being fazed by a tricky question will also help you on your way to general knowledge glory, explains the barrister and Mastermind winner.

But Shaun revealed he still studies each and every day to stay at the top of his game – and believes there is no substitute for hard work.

He has been penning the On This Day column for this paper since 2017, selecting a noteworthy event from the past to expand upon each week. See page 57 of today’s edition for the latest.

Shaun said the columns were of particular interest because they highlighted the importance of understanding the past – an essential building block to any great quizzer.

He has written a set of questions based on the column to challenge your trivia skills – with a signed copy of his autobiography up for grabs as a superb prize.

But he has also come up with a set of hints to improve your quizzing skills, whether in your living room on a bank holiday weekend, at your local pub or even under the studio lights of The Chase itself.

Shaun said: “It has been wonderful doing this column for five years. I’ve always had a love of history and a fascination for historical events.

“It might not seem it at first sight, but every day of the year has an interesting event in its history. If you look at the very best quizzers in the world you might see a pattern. One of the reasons the best quizzers are so good is because their understanding of history is so good.

“Of course, if you understand history you can identify a specific historical event. But a knowledge of history also gives you a much wider understanding – you understand the science of the time, the music or the time and the literature of the time.”

But Shaun said there were other factors that separated the merely good from the absolute best.

He said:“i think there are three other things to bear in mind if you want to be a great quizzer.

“Firstly, go with your gut and trust your instinct – if you feel the answer is correct there’s a good chance it is.

“Secondly, don’t be frightened of getting a question wrong.

“We see this on the show, and we call it a ‘pass spiral’ – because a contestant has got a previous question wrong, they don’t focus properly on the next one. Treat each question individually and don’t let a wrong answer put you off.

“But thirdly, remember there is no substitute for hard work. You need to work hard building up your knowledge – I am always learning.

“Watch a range of quiz shows on TV and don’t pat yourself on the back for the answers you get right – better to learn from the questions you get wrong.

“You’ll begin to remember these answers and this is how you build up your understanding.”

Shaun added: “Best of luck in my quiz below – and here’s to the next five years!”