Patent Application
20240316443
The new rules for this checkers variation deviate from the standard rules in several ways. Each player starts their turn by rolling a six-sided die, numbered 0-5, to determine the number of moves they can make during their turn. The player may split the moves among multiple checkers, and jumping another checker counts as a move. If the player rolls zero, they do not get to move that turn. The addition of the die roll and the ability to split moves among multiple checkers introduces a new level of strategy to the game, as players must consider the potential moves of their opponent in a way they did not have to in traditional checkers. These new rules decrease the average game duration from 15-20 minutes to approximately five minutes.
Checkers is a classic two-player board game that has been enjoyed for centuries. The game is typically played on an 8×8 checkered board and consists of two sets of 12 pieces, usually called men, on opposite sides of the board. The standard rules of checkers involve simple moves forward and jumps over an opponent's piece to capture it. The goal is to capture all of your opponent's pieces or to block them from being able to make any more moves.
Various checkers game variations have been developed over the years, incorporating different elements and objectives. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,578 describes a checkers board game variation that involves geographic facts and historical facts or personalities. These games combine the general tactics and game-playing skills of checkers with knowledge of various facts, aiming to create an educational experience for the players.
Another example is U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,062, which discloses a checkers game variation where the pieces have indicia representing various attributes, and players use those attributes to determine the outcome of individual contests between the pieces. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,314 describes a checkers game variation that incorporates playing cards, where each card determines the movement of a checker based on the card's suit and rank.
The current invention differs from these prior art patents in several ways. Unlike U.S. Pat. No. 6,257,578, the present invention does not involve educational content, such as geographic or historical facts. Instead, it focuses on introducing a chance element through a die roll, which determines the number of moves a player can make during their turn. This new mechanic adds a layer of unpredictability to the game while maintaining the core strategy of traditional checkers.
Furthermore, the current invention does not involve additional attributes or playing cards as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,111,062 and 4,289,314. Rather, it allows players to split their moves among multiple checkers, bringing a unique strategic element to the game. These differences demonstrate that the present invention is not disclosed by the prior art and offers a novel checkers game variation with its own distinct characteristics.
The new rules for this checkers variation incorporate a six-sided die roll and the ability to split moves among multiple checkers. All standard rules for American Checkers apply for placement, movement, capture, promotion to king, and determination of draw or winner. To begin, each player rolls the die, which is numbered 0-5. The highest roll goes first. The player then moves a number of times equal to their roll. They may split the moves among multiple checkers. Each player alternates turns as in standard checkers, first rolling to see how many moves they get for their turn. If the player rolls zero, they do not get to move that turn. Strategy differs in this variation, as players must account for multiple moves by the other player, allowing them to potentially reach traditionally safe pieces. The reduced number of moves due to the die roll and the ability to split moves among multiple checkers contribute to the shorter game duration.
