Here’s a quick guide to what combinations of chess pieces you can (and cannot) use to checkmate an enemy king when you are down to just two or three of your pieces versus a lone king. Or, you may be the one with the lone king and this will let you know that a draw should be declared. Checkmate Possibilities With two to three pieces left, here is when you have the possibility of checkmate and when it is a draw....

The granny square is a perfect example of this. There are a zillion different possible granny square variations. This comparison focuses on some of the simplest; you can change the look of a granny square just by varying the numbers of chain stitches you use when you crochet the square. Then you can change it even more by making strategic crochet color choices. Pictured above are 4 different versions of a granny square....

THE CORRUPTION PERCEPTIONS INDEX (CPI) RATES a country’s propensity to accept bribes according to the perceptions of business people, risk analysts, and the general public. Because of the absence of reliable data, only 99 of the countries of the world—a little more than half—are included in the survey. The scores range from 10 (squeaky clean) to zero (highly corrupt). More than two-thirds of the countries surveyed scored less than 5....

The new penny designs, which appeared on the reverse, or “tails” side, depict four different periods in the life of revered U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. While the obverse remains unchanged. The United States Mint released the new pennies one at a time, each about three months apart. On Feb. 12, 2009, the Mint released the first penny on the 200th Anniversary of Lincoln’s birth. Be aware that collectors have found some die varieties on the reverse....

Cardstock is sold in a variety of textures and colors. It can also be lignin and acid-free which is the perfect medium for scrapbooking. Cardstock is the most popular type of crafting paper. Cardboard boxes can be made into toy houses, cars, spaceships, and even furniture. You are only limited by your imagination. The fluted middle can be used in scrapbooking and card making. Make sure to use a higher grade of crepe paper, such as Italian crepe paper when making paper flowers....

Keep Your Dog Healthy Let’s start with the basics: food and water, shelter, exercise, training, and veterinary care. The food and water part is a cinch; all you have to remember is that, like you, dogs need a good diet to stay healthy. Just ask your veterinarian for advice on feeding your pet a regular, nutritionally balanced diet. Giving your pet proper shelter is easy, too. Dogs aren’t called housepets for nothing; inside the house is where they belong....

Only three seams are required to sew each attic windows quilt block, and the larger motifs found in oriental and many other types of fabrics give you an opportunity to practice fussy cutting. One corner of each block is connected with a mitered seam but don’t let that discourage you from trying this easy quilt block. Attic windows block finished size: 7 1/2" square Fabrics Required for Each Quilt Block (1) Large-scale print: 6 1/2" x 6 1/2", fussy-cut if necessary to isolate a motif(1) Tone on tone print in a coordinating color: 2" x 8" bar(1) Black solid or a black-on-black print: 2" x 8" bar...

This Greek astronomer was the first to measure the size of Earth accurately. He determined that the earth’s polar diameter was about 7,850 miles. (In fact, the distance is actually 7,900.) A.D. 120–189 The ancient Greek astronomer Ptolemy theorized that Earth was the center of the universe, and the Sun, Moon, planets, and stars revolved around it. Called the Ptolemaic System, Ptolemy’s vision of the universe was accepted for the next 1,500 years....

You receive a tag from one of your Facebook friends. This tag is mostly auto-generated and will take you to a post that will incite your curiosity about new emoticons for Facebook. The post may have a video/photo attached with it showing the “great” new FB emoticons. But the main objective of the fraudster is to make you follow the instructions written in the post. The instructions will be similar to: Check this new Amazing and updated emoticons for Facebook Point 1: First thing first, you must not follow these instructions....

In earlier versions of MediaWiki, Special:Statistics pages used to show the number of jobs in queue that are waiting to be executed. In version 1.19 and later Special:Statistics page does not show pending job count. You can however use MediaWiki API to find out this information. Go to the following page to see the number of pending jobs: /api.php?action=query&meta=siteinfo&siprop=statistics This will show you a piece of XML in which “jobs=” property shows the pending job count....

The focal point is sometimes in the middle of the painting, but not always. Look at the painting The Wedding Feast by Pieter Brueghel. Your eye probably goes over to the right, to look at the person in the blue shirt with the tray of pies. Why is this? Color is one reason. The bright blue shirt and white apron (and the two white pies) really stand out against the dark, reddish colors of the rest of the painting....

2.5 million In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation. 321.4 million The nationâs estimated population on July 4 last year. The Signers 56 The number of signers to the Declaration of Independence. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Roger Sherman and Robert R. Livingston comprised the Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration. Jefferson, regarded as the strongest and most eloquent writer, wrote most of the document....

The ten free hexagon crochet patterns here will open up a whole world of options for you to make everything from adorable coasters to motif-based afghans. If you enjoy making them then you might also want to check out how to crochet pentagons. Colorful Granny Hexagon free crochet pattern by Lucy of Attic 24 Bee-Inspired Hexagon free crochet pattern by Sandi Marshall Wind Flower Hexagon free crochet pattern by MijoCrochet Hexagon Blanket crochet pattern by Knitting and Crochet With Words