Not Applicable
Not Applicable
This invention relates to a board game having chess-like player movements on a multi-level board with rectangles having alternating coloring.
Chess is a popular game and has been for centuries. There are those however that are intimidated by the game and those that are bored by the game. Some feel the game requires too long of a time commitment. Some feel that the game is rigid and without variety. Yet, there are many that would like to expand the popularity of chess.
There is a need for a game that utilizes some of the player moves in chess and also provides variation in playing surfaces, play piece capabilities, and objectives within a game that is of a shorter duration. The instant invention, as disclosed within this application, provides a game that fills this need. The art referred to and/or described within this application is not intended to constitute an admission that any patent, publication or other information referred to herein is “prior art” with respect to this invention. In addition, this section should not be construed to mean that a search has been made or that no other pertinent information as defined in 37 C.F.R. § 1.56(a) exists.
All US patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.
In at least one embodiment, a board game comprises a board having multiple levels and play pieces. The board can have darker spaces and lighter spaces that alternate such that a darker space will contact multiple lighter spaces and a lighter space will contact multiple darker spaces. The dark spaces and light spaces can also simply be of different colors. The board has multiple player positions wherein each player position is associated with a location along the edge of the board.
In at least one embodiment, the play pieces have a different assortment of functions.
In at least one embodiment, each level has an odd number of spaces.
In at least one embodiment, the board game has a single space called a throne. The game can be won in one of several predetermined ways: 1) capturing the throne with a king, 2) capturing the throne with a pawn if the king is captured, 3) capturing the throne with a pawn if the king is captured and the pawn is the last pawn, 4) gain the most points by having the last player on the board if all kings and pawns are previously captured.
In at least one embodiment, the levels can be moved with respect to one another.
In at least one embodiment, the levels can be positioned in a pyramid style wherein there is a base level and a plurality of upper levels. Each upper level can have two less spaces in both length and width than the level immediately below it.
In at least one embodiment, the board game includes play pieces including at least one king, queen, rook, knight, bishop, and/or pawn.
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can include:
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can further include:
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can further include:
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can further include:
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can further include: a) the play pieces are arranged in a throne race set-up;
In at least one embodiment, the method of playing the board game can include: a) the board game levels being skewed over to one corner such that each lower level has a ring with a width of two space exposed about two sides of each upper level, the top level being a single space;
These and other embodiments which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for further understanding of the invention, its advantages and objectives obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof and the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described embodiments of the invention.
A detailed description of the invention is hereafter described with specific reference being made to the drawing.
While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein specific preferred embodiments of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It should be noted that the terms “column”, “row”, or “diagonal” are not necessarily strictly linear.
The term “grid” does not require a regular shape such, as that for a rectangle, triangle, etc. or any shape having an axis of symmetry, though in some embodiments the grid does have an axis of symmetry. As used here a grid comprises at least one row with one or more spaces and at least one column of one or more spaces. It should be noted that this could also consist of a single space as shown in
Throughout this specification the term “player” can include a single individual or a team.
In
As shown in
In some embodiments the levels 20-70 are affixed to one another and cannot move relative to one another. In some embodiments the levels are not attached to one another and are manually stacked before play. In some embodiments the levels are attached but can move relative to one another; in some embodiments in two particular positions as shown in
The play pieces can have movements as defined and/or shown in
I. When playing the standard game, the play pieces 80 (pieces include at least one king 81, queen 82, rook 83, bishop 84, knight 85, and pawn 86) can be arranged as illustrated in the standard set-up of
The king 81 can move one space at a time in any direction.
The rook 83 can a) only ascend or descend in the same move, b) only descend when at the edge of a level, c) move in only non-diagonal directions which are oblique to the orientation of the length and width, and d) move around the level in a single level direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) without passing through another player.
The bishop 84 can move diagonally in a straight line without passing through another player.
The queen 82 can move as the rook and the bishop. It may also be decided that the queen additionally have the special move of first moving one space diagonally and then moving one or more additional spaces diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move; this special move also entails first moving one or more spaces and then moving one space diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move.
The knight 85 can move in an L-shaped movement having a long leg and a short leg wherein the long leg is 2 to 3 spaces and the short leg is one space shorter than the long leg and the angle between the long leg and short leg is 90 degrees.
The pawn 86 can move one square per turn and can capture a piece diagonally moving forward or backward.
The board game levels 20-70 are centered above one another such that each lower level has a ring with a width of one space exposed about each upper level. During play, each player makes a single move during each turn. A turn is when each player has made a single move. When one turn ends another begins unless the game has ended. Play continues until a player wins in one of the predetermined ways described above.
II. When playing the suicide squad game, the play pieces 80 (pieces include at least one king 81, queen 82, rook 83, bishop 84, knight 85, and pawn 86) can be arranged as illustrated in the Suicide Squad set-up of
The king 81 can move one space at a time in any direction.
The rook 83 can a) only ascend or descend in the same move, b) only descend when at the edge of a level, c) move in only non-diagonal directions which are oblique to the orientation of the length and width, and d) move around the level in a single level direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) without passing through another player.
The bishop 84 can move diagonally in a straight line without passing through another player.
The queen 82 can move as the rook and the bishop. It may also be decided that the queen additionally have the special move of first moving one space diagonally and then moving one or more additional spaces diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move; this special move also entails first moving one or more spaces and then moving one space diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move.
The knight 85 can move in an L-shaped movement having a long leg and a short leg wherein the long leg is 2 to 3 spaces and the short leg is one space shorter than the long leg and the angle between the long leg and short leg is 90 degrees.
The pawn 86 can move one square per turn and can capture a piece diagonally moving forward or backward.
The board game levels 20-70 are centered above one another such that each lower level has a ring with a width of one space exposed about each upper level. During play, each player makes a single move during each turn. A turn is when each player has made a single move. When one turn ends another begins unless the game has ended. In some embodiments, each player uses the first three turns making setup moves. A setup move is one in which another player's play pieces are not captured. After the first three turns, each player takes every available capture. Play continues until a player wins by capturing the throne with his king.
III. When playing the Hidden King game, the play pieces 80 (pieces include at least one king 81, queen 82, rook 83, bishop 84, knight 85, and pawn 86) can be arranged as illustrated in the Hidden King set-up of
The hidden king can move one space at a time in any direction. The hidden king is limited in some embodiments to capturing a piece only diagonally. In some embodiments the hidden king can capture an opponent's piece in any direction.
The rook 83 can a) only ascend or descend in the same move, b) only descend when at the edge of a level, c) move in only non-diagonal directions which are oblique to the orientation of the length and width, and d) move around the level in a single level direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) without passing through another player.
The bishop 84 can move diagonally in a straight line without passing through another player.
The queen 82 can move as the rook and the bishop. It may also be decided that the queen additionally have the special move of first moving one space diagonally and then moving one or more additional spaces diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move; this special move also entails first moving one or more spaces and then moving one space diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move.
The knight 85 can move in an L-shaped movement having a long leg and a short leg wherein the long leg is 2 to 3 spaces and the short leg is one space shorter than the long leg and the angle between the long leg and short leg is 90 degrees.
The pawn 86 can move one square per turn and can capture a piece diagonally moving forward or backward.
The board game levels 20-70 are centered above one another such that each lower level has a ring with a width of one space exposed about each upper level. During play, each player makes a single move during each turn. A turn is when each player has made a single move. When one turn ends another begins unless the game has ended. Play continues until a player wins in one of the predetermined ways described above.
The players choose strategy options prior to the match beginning. The hidden king is placed in the row of pawns 86. Play continues until a player wins in one of the predetermined ways described above.
IV. When playing the Throne Race game, the play pieces 80 (pieces include at least one knight 85, and at least one pawn 86) can be arranged as illustrated in the Throne Race set-up of
The knight 85 can move in an L-shaped movement having a long leg and a short leg wherein the long leg is 2 to 3 spaces and the short leg is one space shorter than the long leg and the angle between the long leg and short leg is 90 degrees.
The pawn 86 can move one square per turn and can capture a piece diagonally moving forward or backward.
The board game levels 20-70 are centered above one another such that each lower level has a ring with a width of one space exposed about each upper level. During play, each player makes a single move during each turn. A turn is when each player has made a single move. When one turn ends another begins unless the game has ended. Play continues until a player wins by capturing the Throne 70 with a pawn 86.
V. When playing the Pack of Wolves game, the play pieces 80 (pieces include at least one king 81, queen 82, rook 83, bishop 84, knight 85, and pawn 86) can be arranged as illustrated in the Pack of Wolves set-up of
The Super King 81′ has all the moves defined for a queen, a rook, and a bishop.
The king 81 can move one space at a time in any direction.
The rook 83 can a) only ascend or descend in the same move, b) only descend when at the edge of a level, c) move in only non-diagonal directions which are oblique to the orientation of the length and width, and d) move around the level in a single level direction (clockwise or counter-clockwise) without passing through another player.
The bishop 84 can move diagonally in a straight line without passing through another player.
The queen 82 can move as the rook and the bishop. It may also be decided that the queen additionally have the special move of first moving one space diagonally and then moving one or more additional spaces diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move; this special move also entails first moving one or more spaces and then moving one space diagonally and at 90 degrees from the first portion of the move.
The knight 85 can move in an L-shaped movement having a long leg and a short leg wherein the long leg is 2 to 3 spaces and the short leg is one space shorter than the long leg and the angle between the long leg and short leg is 90 degrees.
The pawn 86 can move one square per turn and can capture a piece diagonally moving forward or backward.
During play, each player makes a single move during each turn. A turn is when each player has made a single move. When one turn ends another begins unless the game has ended. Play continues until an opponent player wins by capturing the throne with an opponent player's king.
It should be noted that the spaces 5 can be of a variety of colors, hues, and light/darkness. Any use of light and dark spaces can also mean various hues and/or colors. Varying textures can also be used as can varying heights along a level 20-60. The board 10 can range from being much smaller or much larger than the dimensions given for an embodied game wherein the spaces 5 were sized to be 1.25″. In some embodiments, the levels can have a substantially higher step.
There are many variations for this game. The throne in most instances is the greater focal point than the opponent's king. In standard chess the king is captured/check mated; this can occur anywhere on the Board. As embodied and described above the instant invention focuses on a non-moving position (the throne) for capture. Some embodiments do allow for movement of the throne however.
This game can be adapted to a digital embodiment. The digital embodiment can also help in keeping up with the points a player scores and the skill level and points the player himself has accumulated. In all games, whether digital or not, points can be used as shown in the player chart for the value of the throne itself (100), the king (30 points), the queen (25 points), a bishop (20 points), a rook (15 points), a knight (10 points), and a pawn (5 points). The last player may also be awarded 50 points in some embodiments.
The above disclosure is intended to be illustrative and not exhaustive. This description will suggest many variations and alternatives to one of ordinary skill in this art. The various elements shown in the individual figures and described above may be combined or modified for combination as desired. All these alternatives and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the claims where the term “comprising” means “including, but not limited to”.
Further, the particular features presented in the dependent claims can be combined with each other in other manners within the scope of the invention such that the invention should be recognized as also specifically directed to other embodiments having any other possible combination of the features of the dependent claims. For instance, for purposes of claim publication, any dependent claim which follows should be taken as alternatively written in a multiple dependent form from all prior claims which possess all antecedents referenced in such dependent claim if such multiple dependent format is an accepted format within the jurisdiction (e.g. each claim depending directly from claim 1 should be alternatively taken as depending from all previous claims). In jurisdictions where multiple dependent claim formats are restricted, the following dependent claims should each be also taken as alternatively written in each singly dependent claim format which creates a dependency from a prior antecedent-possessing claim other than the specific claim listed in such dependent claim below.
This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.