These statistics show a movement away from symmetrical defences to asymmetrical defences. In particlular, in reply to 1.e4, the Sicilian and French defences, and to 1.d4 the Indian defences. Also, particularly amongst strong players, an increased use of the English Opening for White.
There is no opening book for real beginners. The reason is that some degree of understanding is needed before the details of an opening can be grasped. Books like the following show complete games with elementary explanations of the moves.
None of these are suitable for beginners, but might be used by chess teachers and players of intermediate strength. Tip for teachers: always check with book reviews.
Emperor Ninken
No certain dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign. The conventionally accepted names and sequence of the early emperors were not to be confirmed as "traditional" until the reign of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th monarch of the Yamato dynasty.
Ninken was a grandson of Emperor Richū; and he was adopted by the childless Emperor Seinei.
Very little is known about the events of Ninken's life and reign. Only limited information is available for study prior to the reign of the 29th monarch, Emperor Kimmei.
This emperor's official name after his death (his posthumous name) was regularized many centuries after the lifetime which was ascribed to Ninken.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor's final resting place is in an earthen tumulus ("kofun"). Ninken is venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine ("misasagi") which is associated with the burial mound.
Emperor Buretsu
No certain dates can be assigned to this emperor's life or reign. The conventionally accepted names and sequence of the early emperors were not to be confirmed as "traditional" until the reign of Emperor Kammu, who was the 50th monarch of the Yamato dynasty.
Buretsu was a son of Emperor Ninken. Buretsu was childless; and he became been the last monarch of the first Imperial dynasty of Japan.
Very little is known about the events of Buretsu's life and reign. Only limited information is available for study prior to the reign of the 29th monarch, Emperor Kimmei.
As emperor, Buretsu is described as wicked in the "Nihonshoki," but this assessment is not mirrored in the text of the "Kojiki."
This emperor's official name after his death (his posthumous name) was regularized many centuries after the lifetime which was ascribed to Buretsu.
The "kami" of Emperor Buretsu was venerated at a Shinto shrine in Takaichi, Yamato province.
According to the Imperial Household Agency, the emperor's final resting place is in an earthen tumulus ("kofun"). Buretsu is venerated at a memorial Shinto shrine ("misasagi") which is associated with the burial mound.
Prefectures of Japan
The former provinces of Japan were converted into prefectures between 1876 and 1879.
The word "todōfuken" combines the suffixes of the names of the 47 prefectures. The four suffixes are:
Before World War II, different laws applied to "fu" and "ken," but now two types of prefecture are the same, outside of their names.
The prefectures are often grouped into these nine regions ("Chihō"). The regions are not formally specified, they do not have elected officials, and they are not corporate bodies. However, the practice of ordering prefectures based on their geographic region is traditional. This ordering is mirrored in Japan's International Organization for Standardization (ISO) coding. From north to south, the prefectures of Japan and their commonly associated regions are listed in traditional and in order:
Okinawa Prefecture is traditionally thought of as part of the Kyūshū region of Japan. Okinawa Prefecture is made up of islands which are southwest of the island of Kyushu. The Japanese government recognizes the prefecture as its own region in new 9-region, 11-region and 13-region systems.
List of Provinces of Japan
The List of Provinces of Japan changed over time. The number and borders of provinces evolved from the 7th century through the Meiji Period. In the 1870s, the provinces were replaced by prefectures.
The traditional way of parsing the land of Japan was "five provinces and seven circuits" ("go-shichidō").
The traditional five core provinces of Japan were called "goki".
The traditional seven core circuits of Japan were called "shichidō".
The island was changed from Ezo to Hokkaidō, and 11 provinces were established in 1869-1882.
Gilberto Kassab
Gilberto Kassab ( or ; born 12 August 1960 in São Paulo) was the mayor of São Paulo, the biggest city in Brazil. He is a member of the right-wing Democrat party. Kassab became famous when he brought in laws to stop billboard advertising, which he said were "visual pollution".
Terra nullius
Terra nullius means unclaimed territory. It is the correct term in international law. It means land which does not (at present) belong to any state. The term comes from the Latin, meaning "Nobody's thing". There is also an expression "no man's land", but that does not have a formal legal meaning.
Rule over "terra nullius" can be got by occupying the territory. There are various legal problems about this concept, but in practice it is often the business of neighbouring states to decide by negotiation. Diplomacy may sometimes be replaced by warfare.
Two territories that are currently "terra nullius" are Bir Tawil between Egypt and Sudan, and Marie Byrd Land, in Antarctica.
Free State (province)
The Free State (Afrikaans: Vrystaat, Sotho: Foreistata; before 1995, the Orange Free State) is a province of South Africa. Its capital is Bloemfontein, which is also South Africa's judicial capital. The current borders of the province date from 1994 when the Bantustans were dissolved and were merged into the provinces of South Africa. It is also the only one of the older provinces of South Africa not to undergo border changes, not counting the incorporation of the Bantustans.
Orange Free State
The Orange Free State () was a country in southern Africa. It was ruled by the Afrikaners. It was defeated by the British Empire and its colonies, the British Cape Colony and the Natal Colony, in the Second Boer War. It became the Orange River Colony and later joined with other colonies to make the Union of South Africa.
Bir Tawil
Bir Tawil or Bi'r Tawīl (بيرطويل in Arabic; Bi'r or بير, meaning water well), is a small, , area. It is along the border between Egypt and Sudan. It is claimed by neither country right now. It is sometimes given the name the Bir Tawil Triangle, because even though it's not an exact triangle, it's made out of two triangles that share a border. The longer side is in the north of the area. It runs along the 22° north circle of latitude.
The administrative boundary of Sudan and Egypt was made in 1902. Their political boundary was set in 1899. It was set as the 22° north circle of latitude. This area lies south of the 22° parallel. East-to-west, the area is between long in the south. It is long in the north. It is between and wide north-to-south. It is also in size.
The Bir Tawil area came under Egyptian administration in 1902. This was because it was grazing land of the Ababda tribe based near Aswan, Egypt. At the same time, the Hala'ib Triangle north of latitude 22° north, and northeast of the area, came under Sudanese administration. This was because the tribes of this area were based in Sudan. The two "triangles" border at one point, a quadripoint.
In 1899, the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium Agreement for Sudan set the border between the territories at the 22nd parallel. At that time, the United Kingdom ruled the area. In 1902 the UK drew a separate "administrative boundary". Using this boundary, a triangle of land north of the parallel was placed under Sudanese administration. It was because its inhabitants were closer to Khartoum than Cairo, both geographically and culturally. The area was ruled by the British Governor in Khartoum.