BOARD GAME

Abstract

A board game apparatus with a plurality of triangular playing spaces upon which are positioned and moved two sets of playing pieces, one for each player; each set of playing pieces includes a number of pieces which are separately movable to different groups of the triangular playing spaces. The players alternately move one piece each with the objective being to threaten the opposing player's most important piece with imminent inevitable capture.

Description

FIELD OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of board games, and more specifically relates to a board game for two opponent players, equipped with 88 equilateral triangular spaces of two alternating colors inside of a rectangle, where play takes place, two sets of 22 flat geometrical pieces (44 total), rules of moves and captures, and the object of the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

There are many strategy-based board games presently available on the market. Classics such as chess and checkers continue to be favorites among players. Other more advanced games tend to occupy niches in the sphere of board games. Generally, as complexity increases, learning the game gets more difficult.

Unfortunately, this can scare many would-be players away from more advanced board games. Even players well versed in certain types of complex board games may shy away from other strategy-based board games with which they are unfamiliar.

If there were a board game that merged some of the classical mechanics of traditional board games with the additional complexity of more modern games, the barrier of entry would be easier to overcome as many of the rules and motions of pieces would be like that of familiar games. Further, if there were a board game

Thus, there is a need for a new type of board game apparatus, equipped with novel yet familiar playing pieces, which exhibits a novel ruleset rooted in similar movement styles to which the average strategy board game player can quickly and easily learn. Such a board game apparatus preferably employs a planar playing surface, shaped as a rectangle, and exhibits triangles (rather than the conventional squares) for playing spaces. Two sets of 22 pieces, one set for each of two players, is preferably present.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

At least one specification heading is required. Please delete this heading section if it is not applicable to your application. For more information regarding the headings of the specification, please see MPEP 608.01(a).

The present invention is a board game with the following characteristics:

• • a) For two players.
  • b) With simple game rules of moves of each piece.
  • c) In which most of the shapes of the pieces can be seen on the board.

d) With limited number of moves of each piece.

• • e) With graphical examples of the moves of each piece.

The present invention is a board game in which opponents move and capture pieces in play. The board consists of 88 equilateral triangular spaces framed by one outer rectangle that limit the spaces in play. The horizontal rows are made up of two types: one type is a horizontal dented row of only one background forming a total of 16 horizontal rows; eight horizontal rows of one background and eight horizontal rows of the other background. Also there are eight horizontal rows of two (2) alternating background each forming 8 parallels from top to bottom. Additionally, there are sixteen dented oblique or inclined rows of one background and sixteen dented oblique or inclined rows of the other background. Furthermore, there are eleven (11) vertical rows of eight (8) triangular spaces forming rows of rhombuses by seeing two (2) triangular spaces joined by the common side and two (2) opposing 60° degree angles and their prolongation of triangular spaces that go in the same direction. There are twenty six (26) oblique or inclined rows of rhombuses; thirteen from the top left to the bottom right and thirteen from the top right to the left bottom as shown in FIG. 1

The game pieces are:

• • A) Two (2) sets of 22 flat geometrical pieces light and dark as shown in FIG. 2.
  • B) The 11 light major game pieces are placed on the first horizontal parallel-row of the board; and the 11 light sems or trapeziums are placed on the second parallel-row of the board.
  • C) The 11 dark major game pieces are placed on the eighth horizontal parallel-row of the board; and the 11 dark sems are placed on the seventh horizontal parallel-row of the board.
  • D) Both sets of pieces are arranged on the board according to the pattern in FIG. 2.

One general rule is that the light sems move upward and the dark sems move downward. The light and dark sems move forward but never backward. The major pieces may move forward or backward.

To start the game, the player playing the light pieces moves upward one “sem” (one or two triangular spaces forward) or a pentagon once; then the player playing the dark pieces moves downward one sem (one or two triangular spaces forward) or a pentagon once; and so on. The object of the game is to threaten the opponent's oval with immediate inevitable capture.

The orientation of the board is:

• • a) The correct way to view the board is with the letters a-b-c-d-e-f-g-h-i-j-k at the bottom; and the numbers 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 at the left side of the board. The first horizontal parallel-row of triangles above the letters will be considered parallel-row #1, the horizontal parallel-row above that will be parallel-row #2, and so on, up to parallel-row #8.
  • b) The vertical rows of triangles that go up and down above each letter forming rows of rhombuses of two (2) backgrounds are called files. There are eleven (11) files that correspond to each letter at the bottom of the board.

The following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings are provided to explain possible embodiments of the present invention but are not provided to limit the scope of the present invention as expressed herein this summary section.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

At least one specification heading is required. Please delete this heading section if it is not applicable to your application. For more information regarding the headings of the specification, please see MPEP 608.01(a).

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

The present invention will be better understood with reference to the appended drawing sheets, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view of the playing surface of the board game according to the concept of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the present invention with the two (2) sets of opponents' flat game pieces; light and dark, placed on the playing surface of the initial formation to begin the game.

FIG. 3 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the triangle (the triangular game piece) moves which consists of moves through the rows of spaces of the same color up to six straight directions from a triangle that it occupies.

FIG. 4 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the rhombus (the game piece) moves which consists of moves through the triangular spaces of two colors that form rows of rhombuses and the prolongation of triangular spaces that go in the same direction; up to six straight directions from the triangular space that it occupies.

FIG. 5 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the pentagon (the game piece) moves which consists of jumping or flying from a space of one background or color to the second next triangle of different color; up to twelve (12) triangular spaces from the triangular space that it occupies. The triangular spaces of departure and arrival are always of different background or color.

FIG. 6 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the hexagon (the game piece) moves which consists of moves through the six dented rows of one color up to six (6) straight directions from the triangular space that it occupies; and through the rows of rhombuses of two backgrounds up to six (6) straight directions from the triangular space that it occupies; moving up to a total of twelve (12) straight directions from the triangular space that it occupies.

FIG. 7 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the light sems move or capture which consists of moving from the initial formation to one or two triangular spaces forward ahead through unoccupied spaces of the board; after that they may move only one triangular space forward ahead through unoccupied triangular spaces of the board. The light sems move always upward ahead to any empty triangular space of the board; and they may move to capture any opponent game piece that it is on the next adjacent triangular space of the same color of the triangular space that they occupy. The light sems never move backward.

FIG. 8 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing how the dark sems move or capture which consists of moving from the initial formation to one or two triangular spaces forward ahead through unoccupied spaces of the board; after that they may move only one triangular space forward ahead through unoccupied triangular spaces of the board. The dark sems move always downward, ahead to any empty triangular space of the board; and they may move to capture any opponent game piece that it is on the next adjacent triangular space of the same color of the triangular space that they occupy. The dark sems never move backward.

FIG. 9 is a view of the board game according to the present invention showing the way the oval moves. It may move to any empty triangular space around the one it occupies up to twelve triangular spaces. It may capture to an opponent game piece that it is around the triangle it occupies; as long as it does not move to be in danger of capture by an opponent game piece, or move to a triangular space that is next to an opponent oval.

FIG. 10 is a view of a figure of a light equilateral triangle alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a view of a figure of a light rhombus alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a view of a figure of a light pentagon alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a view of a figure of a light hexagon alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a view of a figure of a light oval alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a view of a figure of a light sem alone (the game piece) according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

At least one specification heading is required. Please delete this heading section if it is not applicable to your application. For more information regarding the headings of the specification, please see MPEP 608.01(a).

The present specification discloses one or more embodiments that incorporate the features of the invention. The disclosed embodiment(s) merely exemplify the invention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s).

References in the specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment, Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

The present invention is a board game apparatus and method of play as depicted in FIG. 1, which shows the arrangement for the playing board. The board is made up of 88 equilateral triangular spaces of two alternating backgrounds encased in one rectangle that serves as a frame of the board. The triangular spaces of different background are separated by the sides and united by the extreme angles of semi-plains divided by three alternate equal angles. The triangles of the same background form saw-toothed rows. Combining the triangles of both backgrounds, form horizontal and inclined rows, vertical and inclined rows of hexagons, trapeziums, parallelograms, rhombuses, polygons of five and six sides, in addition to other geometrical shapes.

The board has eight horizontal parallel rows, coded with numbers from one (1) to eight (8) at the left outside of the rectangle from the bottom to the top, and eleven vertical rows or files coded with lower case letters, from (a) to (k) in the lower margin from the left to the right.

Each triangular space of the board is in or belongs to a vertical row or file, as well as a horizontal parallel-row; therefore, each triangular space of the board has a code composed of a letter from the vertical row or file and a number from the horizontal parallel-row that it is in.

In the lower margin of the board, lower case letters from left to the right a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, and k are lined up with the vertical rows or files. These letters are the alphabetical code of the 11 vertical rows or files.

The form of the spaces (triangular) and the backgrounds (dark and light) in the board have:

• • a) Vertical rows of dark and light triangular spaces, forming rhombuses of two backgrounds from top to bottom, and vice versa.
  • b) Inclined columns of triangular spaces, forming inclined parallel-rows of two backgrounds from the top left to the bottom right, and vice versa.
  • c) Inclined columns of triangular spaces forming inclined parallel-rows of two backgrounds from the top right to the bottom left, and vice versa.
  • d) Horizontal parallel-rows of triangular spaces of two alternating backgrounds, forming enlarged normal or inverted trapeziums of eleven triangles in each one, from the left to the right and conversely.
  • e) Inclined rows of triangular spaces of two alternating backgrounds, forming rows of rhombuses from the left to the right and vice versa; and from the right to the left and conversely.
  • f) Saw-toothed rows of triangular spaces of the same background within each parallel-row:
  • Saw-toothed rows of light background;
  • Saw-toothed rows of dark background;

The flat geometrical game pieces arc:

• • The sem (s) is represented by a trapezium.
  • The triangle (T) is represented by an equilateral triangle.
  • The rhombus (R) is represented by a rhombus.
  • The pentagon (P) is represented by a pentagon.
  • The hexagon (H) is represented by a hexagon.
  • The oval (O) is represented by an oval.

The game pieces are initially placed on rows number 1, 2, 7, and 8 to begin the game.

The 11 light sems are placed on the 11 triangular spaces of row number 2.

The 2 light rhombuses are placed on the (a1) and (k1) triangular spaces of row number 1.

The 2 light pentagons are placed on the (b1) and (j1) triangular spaces of row number 1.

The 4 light triangles are placed on the (c1), (d1), (h1) and (i1) triangular spaces of row number 1.

The 2 light hexagons are placed on the (e1) and (g1) triangular spaces of row number 1.

The light oval is placed on the (f1) triangular space of row number 1.

The 11 dark sems are placed on the 11 triangular spaces of row number 7.

The 2 dark rhombuses are placed on the (a8) and (k8) triangular spaces of row number 8.

The 2 dark pentagons are placed on the (b8) and (j8) triangular spaces of row number 8.

The 4 dark triangles are placed on the (c8), (d8), (h8) and (i8) triangular spaces of row number 8.

The 2 dark hexagons are placed on the (e8) and (g8) triangular spaces of row number 8.

The dark oval is placed on the (f8) triangular space of row number 8.

The general rules of moves are:

The game pieces can be moved to or through triangular spaces that are not occupied by other game pieces of the same background.

The game pieces of one background can capture and occupy the triangular spaces of the game pieces of the other background that are in the range of their moves, or that they encounter in the directions of their moves.

The game pieces of one background cannot be moved beyond one or several game pieces of the same, or other background that block the triangular spaces in the directions of their moves; however; they may be moved to capture the next opponent piece that it is in the direction of their moves and occupy that triangular space.

The particular rules for moving the game pieces are as follows:

The game pieces that fly, or jump, may be moved to the triangular spaces that are not occupied, or are occupied by game pieces of the other background.

The game pieces that fly, or jump, may be moved to pass over game pieces of the same or other background.

The game pieces that fly, or jump, may not be moved to the triangular spaces that are occupied by game pieces of the same background.

The oval (O) may not be moved to any triangular space that is within range of attack of the pieces of the other background.

Move #1: moves through the rows of triangles of one background or color as shown in FIG. 3.

Move #2: moves through the rows of rhombuses of two backgrounds or colors as shown in FIG. 4.

Move #3: moves through jumping or flying from a triangle of one color or background to the second next triangle of a different color or background as shown in FIG. 5.

Move #4: moves through the rows of triangles of one color; and through the rows of triangles of two colors that form rows of rhombuses of two triangles and the prolongation of triangles that go in the same directions as shown in FIG. 6.

The moves of the pieces are as follows: (for the following examples, spaces to which the game piece may move, as illustrated in the figures, are marked with a circle.)

The sem (s) may move one or two triangles forward from its initial formation to begin the game; after that it may move only one triangular space forward ahead. It may capture to any opponent game piece that it is in any of the two next adjacent triangular spaces of the same color as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

The triangle (T), the triangular game piece, may move through unoccupied rows of triangles of the same color of the board up to six straight directions as illustrated in FIG. 3.

The Rhombus (R) game piece may move through unoccupied rows of rhombuses made up of two triangles of different colors of the board game and the prolongation of triangles that go in the same direction up to six straight directions from the triangular space it occupies as shown in FIG. 4.

The pentagon (P) moves by jumping to any not occupied second next triangular space from the triangle it occupies up to twelve triangular spaces from the triangular space it is in; as long as the second next triangular space is not occupied by any other piece of the same color on the board game as depicted in FIG. 5.

The hexagon (H) may move through unoccupied rows of triangles of one color up to six straight directions; and through unoccupied rows of rhombuses made up of two triangles of different color; and the prolongation of triangles that go in the same direction of its moves up to six straight directions on the board game; making a total of 12 directions that it may move as shown in FIG. 6.

The oval (O) moves one space to any triangle around it that is connected by the sides or angles; if it does not move into danger of capture by an opponent game piece as shown in FIG. 9. The configuration of the spaces, the disposition of the colors on the horizontal rows of the board, and the rules of moves of the oval allow it to go from a triangle of one color to another of the same color on the horizontal rows, “passing over” the intermediate opposite colored triangular space that it is between the two triangular spaces of the same color of the same horizontal row, even if the intermediate triangular space is:

• • a) Occupied by another game piece of the same color on the board game;
  • b) Occupied by another game piece of the opposing color that cannot threaten the oval;
  • c) Threatened by one, or several game pieces of the opposing color through the projection of:
    • The vertical row of triangles and rhombuses of two colors that originates or ends in the intermediate triangular space;
    • The two saw-toothed inclined rows of triangular spaces of the same color that converge on the intermediate triangular space.

The moves on the horizontal rows are, in reality, two different moves:

• • a) Moves through the saw-toothed rows of light colored triangles.
  • b) Moves through the saw-toothed rows of dark colored triangles.

The moves of the oval through the triangular spaces of the same color on the horizontal rows is particular to this board game according to the present invention.

The moves, blockades, and captures of the pieces on the rows, have the following characteristics:

• • a) Moves through the saw-toothed rows of triangles of light color.
  • b) Moves through the saw-toothed rows of triangles of dark color.
  • c) Partial blockade of the rows.

A game piece may blockade the prolongation of spaces of the same color of the occupied space on the same row. However, a game piece cannot blockade the spaces of the opposing color of the occupied space on the same parallel-row.

• • d) Total blockade of the rows: Two game pieces can blockade the prolongation of a parallel-row if each game piece occupies spaces of different color in the same parallel-row.
  • e) The triangle (the game piece) and the hexagon (the game piece) may be moved along the rows of spaces that are not blockaded by game pieces of the same color, or different color;
  • f) May capture an opponent game piece that is far more distant than another game piece that partially blockades the parallel row, if both of the opponent game pieces are on spaces of the same color as the far more distance game piece;

The object of the game is to surround or to corner the opponent's oval so that it can be captured in the next move. When the oval is threatened by an opponent piece, it can:

• • a) Move to another space that is not attacked or threatened by any opponent's game piece;
  • b) Place another game piece of the same color of the oval on the spaces between the oval and the threatening game piece;
  • c) Capture the opponent's threatening game piece with the attacked oval, or with another game piece of the same color as the threatened oval.

If the threatened oval cannot make any of the three options, it is in final warning of immediate inevitable capture. The player who threatens the opponent's oval with immediate inevitable capture and gives the final warning wins the game.

Having illustrated the present invention, it should be understood that various adjustments and versions might be implemented without venturing away from the essence of the present invention. Further, it should be understood that the present invention is not solely limited to the invention as described in the embodiments above, but further comprises any and all embodiments within the scope of this application.

The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. An apparatus for a playing game, said apparatus comprising: a planar playing surface disposed inside of a rectangle, said rectangle having two lines at both a top end and a bottom end, at the base of where major pieces are placed;wherein both a left side and a right side of the planar playing surface are saw-toothed in shape;wherein said playing surface is divided into a plurality of playing spaces within said rectangle and neutral spaces at both side-ends;wherein each of said plurality of playing spaces is a triangle having three sides and three angles, contiguous ones of said plurality of playing spaces share one coincident side;a set of major playing pieces and a set of minor playing pieces, said set of major playing pieces and said set of minor playing pieces include an individual playing piece, a plurality of pairs of playing pieces and a quartet of playing pieces of the same type for each side, and a plurality of minor pieces; andwherein each of said plurality of major playing pieces and said minor playing pieces are movable to different sub-sets of said plurality of playing spaces.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of playing spaces are congruent with respect to one another.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the number of minor playing pieces is equal to the sum of the individual pairs and quartet playing pieces.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein of said playing surface has 88 playing spaces; and said set of playing pieces include one individual piece, three pairs of playing pieces, one quartet of playing pieces as well as eleven minor pieces.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of playing spaces are evenly divided between a first type and a second type of playing spaces; and wherein said first type and said second type differ in color.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said playing pieces are generally flat.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein label numbers and letters are located outside said rectangle left side and two opposite end-lines, each of said plurality of playing spaces is identified with one coordinate from along each parallel of said side parallel row, and horizontal lines at top-down ends.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the number of minor playing pieces is equal to the sum of the individual pairs and quartet playing pieces.

9. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said playing surface has 88 playing spaces; and wherein said set of playing pieces include one individual piece, three pairs of playing pieces, one quartet of playing pieces as well as eleven minor pieces.

10. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of playing spaces are evenly divided between first types and second types of playing spaces.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said playing pieces are generally flat.

12. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein label numbers and letters are located outside said rectangle left side and two opposite end-lines, each of said plurality of playing spaces is identified with one coordinate from along each parallel of said side parallel row, and horizontal lines at top-down ends.

13. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said playing surface has 88 playing spaces; and wherein said set of major playing pieces include one individual piece, three pairs of playing pieces, one quartet of playing pieces; andwherein there are eleven minor playing pieces.

14. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein label numbers and letters are located outside said rectangle left side and two opposite end-lines, each of said plurality of playing spaces is identified with one coordinate from along each parallel of said side parallel row, and horizontal lines at top-down ends.

15. An apparatus for a playing game, the apparatus comprising: a planar playing surface disposed inside of a rectangle, said rectangle having a first line at a top end and a second line at a bottom end at the base of where major pieces are placed;wherein both a left side and a right side of the planar playing surface are saw-toothed in shape;wherein said playing surface is divided into a plurality of playing spaces within said rectangle and neutral spaces at both side ends;wherein each of said plurality of playing spaces is a triangle having three sides and three angles;wherein contiguous playing spaces of said plurality of playing spaces share one coincident side;a set of major playing pieces and a set of minor playing pieces, said set of major playing pieces and said set of minor playing pieces include an individual playing piece, a plurality of pairs of playing pieces and a quartet of playing pieces of the same type for each side, and a plurality of minor pieces;wherein each of said plurality of major playing pieces and said minor playing pieces are movable to different sub-sets of said plurality of playing spaces;wherein said plurality of playing spaces are congruent with respect to one another;wherein said playing surface has 88 playing spaces; andwherein said set of major playing pieces include one individual piece, three pairs of playing pieces, one quartet of playing pieces.