AU699905B2 - A board game - Google Patents

Description

I

WO 96/19272 PCT/NZ95/00131 A Board Game TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to a board game.

BACKGROUND ART One of the most popular board games in the world today is the game commonly known as "Chess". Chess is a game that includes a board and two sets of playing pieces, each set of playing pieces usually comprising 16 individual members. Each piece is distinguished from members of the other set of playing pieces, usually by the colour of the piece. Each piece also has a pre-defined method of moving over the board, and also a set of pre-defined methods of capturing members of the opposing set of pieces.

The board that the pieces move over usually comprises a chequered grid of 64 squares.

Despite its popularity, Chess has been found to possess a number of limitations which detract from the enjoyment of the people playing it. For example, many players quickly become frustrated by the overly tactical nature of the game, which largely arises due to limitations in the allowed moves of each piece in a Chess set. These limitations are further exaggerated by the reasonably small size of the board, which restricts the number of squares pieces in a Chess set can move to. This often results in "blockage" of Chess positions. This can be frustrating for Chess players looking for an open, exciting game. Potential C]ais players can also rapidly become disillusioned with the amount of analysis (and memorisation of lines of openings) required to play Chess to a reasonable standard, which arises in part due to the rePsronably predictable lines of attack and defence that take place in a Cf game. T~uts the effort needed to become a good Chess player can be tantial (and off-putting).

Although many alternative versions of Chess has been suggested over the years (eg. one alternative version involves rearranging the pieces on the "back rank" of each side), no alternative versions of Chess (to date) have been found to be very satisfactory. Furthermore, despite a number of very famous Chess players (such as Fisher and Capablanca) complaining about the need for improvements in the game of Chess, there has not to date (before the present invention) been any serious attempt (to the i( 35 applicant's knowledge) to create a board game that could supersede

I

P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECIE\64525.SPE-22/10/98 -2- Chess, while retaining the general appeal of a tactical two opponent board game, such as Chess is.

The present invention relates to a board game which attempts to address some of the problems encountered in playing the game of Chess. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention forms an enjoyable and challenging board game in its own right, and no knowledge of, or experience of, a game like Chess is required to play it. Furthermore, the present invention has a number of advantages over games like Chess, and, in particular, the present invention has been found by many players to be more enjoyable, and more challenging than Chess. Thus although the present invention is a complete and separate game from the game of Chess, it could also be viewed as forming the type of improved Chess game that players like Fisher and Capablanca have been wishing for.

The present game, although primarily designed as a board game, may also take a number of 15 other forms. For example, the present invention may also be able to be played as a computer game, or in other versions. The scope of the present specifications should include any o version of the present invention that is played in accordance with the rules and instructions defined herein, and should not be limited to any particular version of the present invention.

20 Disclosure of Invention

A

t* t According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of predefined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess rook, bishop or knight.

3 According to further aspect of the present invention there is provided a board game 1

-OWN

SP:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE645255.SPE -22/10/98 -3comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess king in either one or two movements of said Chess king, said movements of said at least one playing piece being possible provided that said location is not under attack from any playing piece of the set of opposing playing pieces.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of i playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess queen, said at least one playing piece additionally capable of jumping over any occupied location located forwardly, backwardly, laterally or diagonally adjacent to the location occupied by said at least one playing piece.

9 In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, th playing pieces comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving when unobstructed either one, two or three locations in a forward direction.

T In the present specification, the term "array of locations" will be used to denote any form of S marking or indicia used to separate or compartmentalise certain areas of the board. For the term "array will b -e I P:\WPDOCS\DYS\PECIE\645255.SPE -22/10/98 -4example, in preferred embodiments of the present invention the board may include a 10 by grid over which the pieces may move. In these embodiments, each location on the board may correspond to each individual square in the grid. However, in other embodiments of the present invention the board may also be divided into arrays of locations which may not be as regular as the grid described above. These embodiments should also be included in the scope of the present invention.

In further preferred embodiments of the present invention, each piece in each set of playing pieces may be uniformly distinguished from pieces in the other set of playing pieces, either by colour, shape or any other marking. However, in most embodiments of the present invention colour shall be the preferred way of distinguishing one set of playing pieces from :the othei.

0 S: In still further preferred embodiments of the present invention each set of playing pieces may :T 15 consist of a number of pieces distinguished from each other in any suitable manner. For example, playing pieces may be distinguished from others of the same set by shape, or by *0 9 including a distinctive marking, or by any other means.. Although preferred embodiments 9* of the present invention include a number of distinct playing pieces in each set of pieces, each S. set of playing pieces may also include a number of pieces substantially identical to each other.

9 i In preferred embodiments of the present invention, there may be provided seven different "types" of playing pieces. Preferably, each set of playing pieces shall comprise the same numbers and types of pieces, albeit with the pieces of each set distinguished from corresponding pieces of the other set (eg. by colour).

However, in other embodiments of the present invention, each set of playing pieces may consist of varying numbers or types of playing pieces. This is especially useful should "handicap" games be wished to be played. In these games, it may be appropriate to (say) CL 5/ the weaker player to have a "stronger" set of playing pieces. The relative strength of the 3 playing pieces may be defined in any convenient way, eg. by the agreement of the players.

LU

j~ -h we^le Alye iohv sogi e fpaigpics h etv tegha

I

I I I I 22110198

N

4a I: .4 4* 4 4 444~ 0 *0 4 4 4 *94* o 4, 04 *4 *444 4 4 *444

S

44 *4 rO 4 40 '4 4e 4* 0 In another aspect, there is provided a board game, the apparatus comprising a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and column, the playing pieces including two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces including two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces including ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over said board in accordance with a set of predefined rules.

In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising a general purpose data processing device capable of generating a visual representation of a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the visual representation of the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially arranged in rows and columns, the, visual representation of the playing pieces comprising two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of 15 playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and on king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set the general purpose data processing device including a means to move the visual representation of the playing pieces over the visual representation of the board in accordance with set of pre-defined rules.

In another aspect, there is provided an apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising a general purpose datq. processing device, a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, the general purpose data processing device including a means to generate the generate the movements of at least one set of playing pieces over the board.

I

\Z1 should be appreciated that the names of the playing pieces given above are purely for

AL

N

r P:\WPDOCSDYS\SPECI\645255.SPE -22/10/98 -4bidentification purposes only. Each playing piece may also have a number of other names, all of which are intended to be included within the scope of the present specification. Thus each playing piec defined herein by the movements the piece makes, and shall be treated as such within the present specification. Thus, a King (for example) is intended to be defined within the present specification as any piece (of any name) that may make movements identical to (or substantially identical to) the allowed movements defined herein for a King.

These rules are described (at times) by comparison with rules of movements for "similar" Chess pieces. It should be appreciated that this is done for the sake of simplicity only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present specification in any way.

*9 In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the movement of the "sols" (a word formed from an abbreviation of "soldiers", although some players (especially Chess players) i may alternatively call this piece a "pawn") may resemble the movement of pawns in a Chess game. In particular, in most embodiments of the present invention sols may initially be placed on the second (and ninth) "rank" (ie. "row") of the board. Sols may then move either one,* twoorthree squares forward (at one, two or three squares forward (at 9 a e y WO 96/19272 PCT/NZ95/00131 every move), providing there are no pieces occupying or blocking movement to these squares. Sols may also be provided with powers to capture opposing pieces, which again resemble the powers of capture of Chess pawns. Specifically, in most embodiments of the present invention, sols may capture opposing pieces located on squares diagonally located (and in front of) the square the sol is located on, and may also capture opposing sols who traverse such a square during the opposing sols move.

In embodiments of the present invention whereby sols move in this way, sols become fast moving and active pieces, in contrast to the slower movement of pawns in a game of Chess.

In addition, in most embodiments of the present invention, should a sol be moved to the opponents back rank, the player moving the sol will be required to exchange the sol for any other desired piece (except for a king).

This is similar to the "queening" rule in Chess, and can be a considerable advantage for the player able to "promote" his sol.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, rooks in each set of playing pieces may move in a similar way to a Chess rook. In particular, rooks may move to any unoccupied or unblocked square in the same row or column that the rook occupies. Rooks may also "capture" opposing pieces located in the same row of column as the square the rook occupies, providing the rooks path to that piece is not blocked by any other piece.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, knights may move in a similar way to that of a Chess knight. In particular, in all moves apart from the first, the knight may move in the motion (two squares forward or backward in the same row or column that the knight is located in, and then one square in any direction perpendicular to the direction of first motion) that is characteristic of Chess knights. However, for the knight's first move, it has ben found particularly useful if the knight is able to (optionally) incorporate two "standard" moves into one (providing the initial square the knight moves to after its first move is not occupied). In this way, it becomes significantly easier to develop (and centralise) one's knights in the present game.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, bishops may move in a similar way to that of Chess bishops. In particular, bishops may move any distance in a diagonal manner, providing the square they are moving to is not obstructed, or occupied by a piece of the same set of pieces that the .jj 6 Ir re rs I SWO 96/19272 PCT/1NZ95/00131 bishop belongs to. Bishops have the same capturing powers as Chess bishops. As with Chess bishops, it should be appreciated that bishops are constrained to move only on half of the squares on the board.

In prefei red embodiments of the present invention, princes may move in a way which roughly corresponds to the combined movement of rooks, bishops and knights in a Chess game. In particular, a prince may move to any square that would be accessible to a Chess rook, bishop or knight located on the same square as the prince. However, the prince also has an additional power in that it may "jump" pieces located adjacent to the location of the prince, including pieces located on squares located diagonally adjacent to the square the prince is located on. In these "jump" moves, the prince must land on either an unoccupied square adjacent to the square that has been "jumped", or must effect a capture by landing on a square adjacent to the square that has been "jumped", and occupied by an opposing piece. In these "captures", as with Chess, the opposing piece is removed from the board (as it is with .ptures" effected by al.l pieces).

With the movements described above, the prince usually becomes the most powerful piece on the board. The prince is also a very dynamic piece, in that many different movement options are to the prince. This tends to enhance the interest level in the present game, in that it tends to become more fast paced and dynamic than Chess tends to be.

In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the queen may move in a similar way to that of a Chess queen. In particular, the queen may move diagonally, vertically or horizontally to any unobstructed square, or to an unobstructed square occupied by an opposing piece to effect a "capture". In this regard, a queen thus combines the movement of a rook and a bishop. However, the queen also has a "jumping" power, in that it can jump pieces located on the same row or column or diagonal that the queen is located on, providing that piece is located also on a square adjacent to the queen. This is similar to the jumping power of the prince, with the exception that the queen cannot conduct a "knight-like" jump.

Further, in preferred embodiments, the "king" may move to any location on the board which is within two squares (either horizontally, or vertically, or diagonally, or any combination of the aforesaid directions) of the king's current location, providing this does not give the opponent the opportunity to capture the, king in his (or her) next move (or, in Chess -11 I It OF P it Zr WO 96/19272 PCTINZ95/00131 terminology, providing that this does not put the king in "check"). This may include (if necessary) jumping pieces.

The king may also be provided with "castling" opportunities, which occur if the king and a rook have not been moved, and if there are no pieces between the king and rook. In these situations, the king may be moved to any square between its current location and that of the rook, with the rook being moved to any vacant square on the "open" side of the king (ie the opposite side to that which the rook started from). The rook however, in the castling manoeuvre, cannot be moved past any other piece on the back rank. Unlike Chess, castling can occur while the king is in "check", or also if the squares the king moves past, are under attack by opposing pieces.

Although a certain set of movements for pieces included in a preferred embodiment of the present invention have been described, it should be appreciated that variations to these movements may also be included in the present board game. In particular, certain rules of movement (such as the "castling" movement described above) have 'been chosen to maximise certain enjoyable aspects of the present game (such as the opportunity for quick piece development). Variations of the.3e moves may be made for other reasons (for example, to slow the game down, or to increase its length, or to simplify it, etc).

As with Chess, the primary object of the present game is to "check-mate" ththe opponents king. This occurs when the one sides king may be taken by the opponents next move (ie. the king is in "check"), and there is no permitted square that the king may move to where this may be avoided (ie.

the kingol can-not move out of "check"). In the process of attempting to "check-mate" the opponents king, it has been found to be desirable (generally) to capture a number of the opponents pieces. However, in addition to the capturing of pieces, certain tactical considerations (such as the relative worth of the pieces, or positional advantages of t-aking (or not taking) the opponents pieces) need also to be taken into accouxnt. Thus it has been found that the present invention comprises an excitable and enjoyable game, and frequently is both more exciting and enjoyable than Chess.

Furthermore, as with Chess, the present game involves setting up the pieces in the initial positions assigned to them (see, for example, figure 1 7 WO 96/19272 PCTNZ9.T100131 and accompanying description), and then each player taking a turn to move one of (or in the case of castling, two of) his or her pieces in accordance with the rule:,, as defined herein. This move may also involve capturing an opponents piece, in which case 'the opponents piece is removed from the board. The opponent will then respond by making a move of his (or her) own. This process of moving in turn continues until one sides king is "check-mated" (or a pre-deterinined time limit runs out), at which time the game is termina-ced.

As there is a danger that players in the present game may take varying times to make his or her moves, it is sometimes useful if a time keeping device (such as a clock) is provided to take note of how much time each player has used to make. T i (or her) moves. A clock such as a Chess clock may be particularly usefui in the present game. As with Ches -Irtain pre-determined tim- limits may also exist for making a certain na.. ,er of moves, and in addition to winning by "check-mating" the opponents king, a player may also win the present game should the opponent exceed any pre-determinedi .ne limits (if any exist).

Furthermore, it is envisaged that in addition to games of the present invention where the outcome is either a win or a loss for each individual player, there may be games whereby the outcome may be a draw (ie.

neither player may win). A draw in the present game (as in Chess) may be achieved- in a number of ways. These include: a) Either player may offer the opposing player the option of a draw.

This. offer may preferably take place at the completion of a move by the player offering the draw. A draw is declared if the offer is accepted by the opposing player.

b) A position. is reached in which a player's king is not in check, and that player additionally has no legal moves. This is similar to the "1stalemate" outcome in Chess.

c) A certain number of moves (say fifty) are made by each player, without the capture of any pieces. In, is situation. either player may be free to claim a draw.

d) A 6ertain identical configuration of pieces on the board may be reached a dertain number of times (say three). Inl th'is Case (as With Chess),, eithe player may be free to claim a draw.

P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\645255.SEP -22/10/98 -9- In addition to the above drawing options, there may also be provided other ways of achieving draws in the present game. However, it should be appreciated that as the present game forms a more attacking and open game than Chess, the outcome of a draw in the present game is likely to ocur less often than in Chess. This adds to the enjoyment of the present game.

In accordance with the invention, there is provided a method of playing a board game, the board game comprising a board or visual representation thereof and a plurality of playing pieces or visual representation thereof, the board or visual representation thereof including a 10 by array of locations substantially arranged in rows and columns, the playing pieces or visual representation thereof comprising two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, the playing pieces or visual representation thereof being able to move over the board or visual representation thereof in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, the method of playing the game including the steps of 15 a) placing the playing pieces in an appropriate initial configuration, and b) allowing a first player to move one or more of the pieces in his or her set of pieces in accordance with the set of pre-defined rules, and Sc) allowing a second player to move one or more of the pieces, in his or her set of pieces in accordance with the set of pre-defined rules, 20 the movement of the pieces of the first and second players continuing until the game is terminated in accordance with any one or more of the pre-defined set A. of rules.

As briefly mentioned in the prior art, a number of other options tor ~ersions) of the present 25 game"may also exist. In particular, the present game may lend itself particularly well to being converted to be played on a general purpose data' processing device (which shall herein be defined as any known computer, or additionally any computer that may be allow the is ent-game tobe.played)...lthese versions, Jt is envisaged that the present game may be played either between a single player (or a single team of players), and the data processing device,(such as a computer), or possibly the data processing device itself, with a player, or A '^1

'S;

:-?mwcll I 4 4d 4 eQ eQ 4I

S

0* *4 44 4@4* 4n 4944 4 P:\WPDOCS\DYS\PECE\645255.SPE 22/10/98 number of players watching, and perhaps learning various aspects of the present game at the same time. Alternatively, the data processing device may also perform an instructional function, perhaps by giving appropriate hints at various times during the game.

In addition, there may be a number of way sin which known (or novel) data processing devices may be used to play the present game (for example, against a single opponent). In one version, a known data processing device (such as a computer) may generate a visual representation of a board and a number of pieces, as described herein, and may control the movements of one set of pieces. A player, or number of players may control the movements of the second set of pieces.

In an alternative version, there may be a data processing device that may *13 T ;i iiV lL WO 96/19272 PCT/NZ95/00131 be connected in some way to a board and a number of pieces in accordance with the present invention. The data processing device may have a means of sensing the location of the pieces (eg. by appropriate magnets placed in the pieces), and also of indicating preferred movements of the pieces (eg.

by light placed on the board). These versions of the present game may resemble known Chess computers, which come with a separate board and playing pieces.

It should be appreciated that versions of the present invention that can be played on a computer (or a general data processing device of any kind) may allow a single player to participate in an enjoyable game (in contrast to say, board game versions of the present invention, where at least two players are generally needed). Furthermore, it is envisaged that computers may form both powerful opponents and useful instructional i aids in the present game. A computer (or other general purpose data processing device) may also be programmed with other useful information (such as historical inform-ation, upcoming tournaments, etc), which may add to the enjoyment of the player playing the present game.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a plan view of a board in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventicr, and Figure 2 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the playing pieces forming part of the apparatus in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the movements of a playing piece of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus, namely a rook, and Figure 4 shows the movements of a further playing piece forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, namely a knight, and Figure 5 shows the mvements of a further playing piece forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. namely a prince, and Figrure 6 shows the movements of an obstructed prince forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present 11 p I P WO 96/19272 PCT/NZ95/00131 invention, and Figure 7 shows the movements of a king forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 8 shows the movements of a queen forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 9 shows the initial position of a sol, forming part of the apparatus of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 10 shows a plan view of a casting option for the queen's side i according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION With regard to Figure 1, there is shown a board 1 including a grid 2. Grid 2 comprises a number of squares 3, arranged in 10 rows and 10 columns. j Although a regular array of locations (or squares) is pictured, it should be appreciated that various other arrays of locations, in particular incorporating non-regular configurations of squares or locations may also be used in the present invention.

Board 1 is coloured with either a light colour, as in white squares 4, or a dark colour, as in black squares 5. Thus board 1 is visually similar in appearance to a traditional Chess board, with the exception that an additional 36 squares are contained on the board. Although it is useful (for example in calculating the permitted moves of the bishops, queen or princes) it should be appreciated that the traditional "chequered" format of a Chess board need not be maintfained.

The squares 3 of board 1 are also provided with indicia 6 to identify each location on the board. This notation may be similar to algebraic notation often used in Chess, in that each square on the board may be identified by a letter (indicating the column it is located in) and a number (indicating the row it is located in). Other means of identifying squares 3 may also be used. Indicia 6 are particularly useful when recording a move made in the present game, as it is particularly easy to identify the square a piece has been moved to (or from).

"V

Inadito t 7dii 6, certain squaxes may contain an ilsrto o any the sybol to ndiatetheinitial position of the pieces in the present game. For example, in prefeXred embodiments of the present invention, it is intended that sols of orne set of pieces be placed on squares a2-j2, rooks (of the same set of pieces) be placed on squares al and j1, knights (of the same set of pieces) be placed on squares bi and ii, bishops (of the same set of pieces) be placed on squares ci and hi, princes (of the same set of pieces) be placed on squares dl and gi, the queen (of the same set of pieces) be placed on square el, and the king (of the same set of pieces) be placed on square fl. The pieces of the other set may be placed in the twenty squares located in rows 9 and 10, and positioned as indicated by indicia 7 on board 1.

Although the above is a preferred initial configuration of pieces in the present invention, it should be appreciated that other configurations of piec'~s may also be used. In addition, it should be appreciated that some embodiments of board 1 may not include either indicia 6 or illustrations 7, as the information contained by these symbols may become known to players in other ways.

Figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the pieces provided in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a sol 10, a rook 11, a knight 12, a bishop 13, a prince 14, a queen 15 and a king 16 are all shown. It should be appreciated also that although figure 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment of these pieces, the pieces may also take a nuinl of other shapes and configurations as well.

With regard to Figure 3, the moves available to rooks 30 and 31 (located on squares al and h2 respectively) are shown. In this figure, both rooks are unobstructed and thus both rooks can move to any location indicated by arrows 32 and 33 (for rook 30), or arrows 34 and 35 (for rook 31). Should either rook be obstructed by a piece belonging to the same set of pieces as rooks 30 or 31, or by a piece of the opposing set that a player does not want to capture, then the rooks cannot move beyond (or onto) the square on 1' which the obstructing (or opposing) piece is located. The rooks 30 and 31 may capture opposing pieces (if desired) in a similar way as Chess rooks With regard to Figure 4, the initial moves of a knights 40 and 41 are indicated. In particular, knight 40 can move to any of squares a3, c3 or d2, U i ~1 WO 96/19272 PCT/NZ95/00131 or utilising the unique initial "double move" may also move to squares a 2 a4, b3, b5, c2, c4, dl, d5, e2, e4, fl or f5. Similar moves are available to knight 41, which can move to squares el, e3, f2, f4, gl, g2, g5, h2, h3, h4, i3, i5, j2, j3, or j4. However should a square such a d2 be obstructed (for example, by a sol (not shown)), then knight 40 will not be able to move to a square such as fl (in a single move) until square d2 is unobstructed. It should also be appreciated that after the knights initial move, then only moves resembling the movements of an ordinary Chess knight will be available to knights 40 and 41.

With regard to Figure 5 there is illustrated the movements available to prince 50. Prince 50 can move to any square in the direction of arrows 51, as well as to squares d3, d5, e2, e6, g2, g6, h3 and h5 (utilising the princes ability to make "knight" type moves). However, as Figure 6 shows, the movements available to an obstructed prince are (usually) less in scope.

Figure 6 shows the movements available to a prince 50, obstructed by a number of pieces. In this situation, prince 50 may move to any square indicated by arrows 52, or utilising the "jumping" feature of the princes movement, to any square including a black dot 53. The ability of the prince to jump pieces is not influenced by the set of pieces that the piece to be jumped belongs to. However it should be noted that once a piece has been "jumped" (such as king 54), the prince cannot continue to move beyond the square adjacent to the jumped piece (for example, prince 50 cannot travel to squares a3 or b3).

With regard to figure 7, the movements of king 60 are shown. In particular, king 60 may move to any square indicated by black dot 61, providing that that square is not currently under attack by an opposing piece. Although not shown, king 60 may also jump pieces. For example, should a number of pieces occupy squares gl to g5, king 60 may jump these to move to any of squares hi to h5 (providing that the square the king 60 moves to is not under attack by an opposing piece).

Figure 8 shows the movements available to a partially obstructed queen 70. In particular, queen 70 may move either to any square in the direction 1"of arrows 71, or to any square indicated by a black dot 72. As illustrated, this may inciude jumping pieces (for example knight 73), in a similar way as illustrated by prince 50 in figure 6. However, the "knight type" moves ifavailable to prince 50 are not available to queen :IR r (1 r r r i' i i i ii

F

rt unobstructed either one, two or three locations in a forward direction, In the present specification, the term "array of locations" will be used to denote any form of marking or indicia used to separate or compartmentalise certain areas of the board. For r a a a m i With regard to Figure 9, the initial position of a sol 80 is shown. Although not clearly shown, sol 80 may move to any of squares f3, f4 or f5 in its initial move, and in subsequent moves, also move either one, two or three squares forward. Sol 80 may also capture any opposing piece occupying squares e3 org3, or in general, on any diagonally adjacent (and forwardly located) square. For example, a sol on square b5 could capture opposing pieces on squares a6 or c6. A sol may also capture sols that move past them in a similar way to the "en passant" rule in ChessFor example, if a sol is located on square b5, and an opposing sol moves from square c8 (or c7) to square.c5 (or square c4, if the sol started on c7), then on the next move only, the sol may "capture" the passing sol by moving to square c6, and removing the opposing sol from.the board.

Figure 10 illustrates an version of "castling'" sin present game. In particular, assuming, ng 60 and rook 30 have not pre( iM ly moved, then 15 king: 60 :.aym be isqioviuaedit S then moved to any square on the opposite (open)side of king 60, providing no other pieces blOkte movement o. te rook al squ example, if a bishop was located on square hi, and king 60 was moved to S square bl then (in casling) ri k 30 could move tO6any of square cl-gl.

I

A

i a.

ft a a a a a'.

aJ a a a a.

J

20 The above describes a preferred set of rules for the present game only, and it should be appreciated that other rules (or allowed movements) may be incorporated into the present game without altering the inventive scope thereof.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of example 25 only and it should be'appreciated-tha modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from -the scope thereof as defined in' the appended claims.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

i:!

Claims (13)

1. A board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess rook, S: bishop or knight.

2. A board game as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one playing piece is S additionally capable of jumping over any occupied location located forwardly, backwardly, laterally or diagonally adjacent to the location occupied by said at least one playing piece.

3. Aboard game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the .I board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least a 20 one playing piece capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess king in either one or two movements of said Chess king, said movements of said at least one playing piece being possible provided that said location is not under attack from any playing piece of the set of opposing playing pieces. 25 4. Aboard game as claimed in claim 3, wherein the object of the game is to capture said at least one playing piece.

5. A board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces I s 0 comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly I P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\645255.SPE -22/10/98 -17- distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece, capable of moving to any location accessible to a conventional Chess queen, said at least one playing piece additionally capable of jumping over any occupied location located forwardly, backwardly, laterally or diagonally adjacent to the location occupied by said at least one playing piece. t

6. A board game comprising a board and plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantialy aligned in rows and columns, the playing pieces S 10 comprising two sets of 20 playing pieces, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over the board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules, each set of playing pieces including at least one playing piece capable of moving when unobstructed either one, two or three locations in a forward direction. t\ S1 S p A. Io

7. A board game, the apparatus comprising a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially aligned in rows and column, the playing pieces including two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces including two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces including ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, each playing piece being able to move over said board in accordance with a set of pre-defined rules.

8. A board game as claimed in claim 7, wherein the initial configuration of the playing 25 pieces includes the sols of one set of playing pieces being placed on the second row of the board, and the sols of the second set of playing pieces being placed on the ninth row of the boad. -7 W- S9. A board game as claimed in claim 8, wherein the object of the game is to check-mate Sthe opponent's king. 4:1 -_1 s ELP U- I ~i-IIS I~ CC~I -I_ P:\WPDOCS\DYS\SPECIE\645255SPE -22/10/98 18 An apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising a general purpose data processing device capable of generating a visual representation of a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the visual representation of the board including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially arranged in rows and columns, the visual representation of the playing pieces comprising two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and on king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, the general purpose data processing device including a means to move the visual representation of the playing pieces over the visual representation of the board in accordance with set of pre-defined rules.

11. An apparatus for playing a board game as claimed in claim 10, wherein the game is played between one or more players, and the general purpose data processing device, and wherein the general purpose data processing device generates the movements of at least one set of playing pieces. 15

12. An apparatus for playing a board game, the apparatus comprising a general purpose data processing device, a board and a plurality of playing pieces, the board'including a 10 by array of locations substantially aligned in re vs and columns, the playing pieces comprising two S.sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, each playing piece in each set being uniformly distinguished from the pieces of the other set, the general purpose data processing device including a means to generate the generate the movements of at least one set of playing pieces over the board.

13. A method of playing a board game, the board game comprising a board or visual representation thereof and a plurality of playing pieces or visual representation thereof, the ard or visual treresentation thereof including a 10 by 10 array of locations substantially Sarranged in rows and columns, the playing pieces or visual representation thereof comprising A two sets of twenty playing pieces, each set of playing pieces comprising ten sols, two rooks, 30 o knights, two bishops, two princes, one queen and one king, the playing pieces or visual I I' SP\WPDOCS\DYS SPECIM645255.SP-- 22/10198 -19- representation thereof being able to move over the board or visual representation thereof in accordance with a set ofpre-defied rules, the method of playing the game including the steps of a) placing the playing pieces in an appropriate initial configuration, and b) allowing a first player to move one or more of the pieces in his or her set of pieces in accordance with the set of pre-defined rules, and c) allowing a second player to move one or more of the pieces, in his or her set of pieces in accordance with the set of pre-defined rules, the movement of the pieces of the first and second players continuing until the 10 game is terminated in accordance with any one or more of the pre-defined set of rules. a

14. A method of playing a board game as claimed in claim 24, wherein the apparatus further includes a general purpose data processing device, and wherein the method of playing the I 15 board game includes the step of: d) inputting or entering each move of either of the first or second players, or both, into the general purpose data processing device at the completion of each move of either or both players. W

15. A board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

16. A method of playing a board game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. r Dated this 22nd day of October, 1998 ._MERVYN KEITH MORRISON By Its Patent Attorneys VIS COLLISON CAVE I