CA3058940A1 - Four-part three-dimensional game board - Google Patents

Abstract

A game board apparatus for use with a plurality of player pieces includes four separate parts. Each part has an external surface that includes a horizontally-oriented square lower surface, a n x n anay of horizontally-oriented square upper surfaces for supporting the player pieces, where n is an integer value greater than or equal to 4, where at least two of the upper surfaces are disposed at two different elevations levels above the lower surface, and four vertically-oriented side surfaces, where each of the side surfaces extends from a different edge of the square lower surface to the array of upper surfaces. For more convenient storage and transport, the first part may be vertically inverted and stacked on the second part to form a first rectangular prism, while the third part may be vertically inverted and stacked on the fourth part to form a second rectangular prism.

Description

FOUR-PART THREE-DIMENSIONAL GAME BOARD
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a game board used for playing a strategy game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The prior art includes a variety of game boards for playing strategy games. A
conventional chess board having 64 square spaces arranged in an 8 x 8 grid in a two-dimensional plane has been used for centuries. Also known are three-dimensional chess boards having square spaces disposed at different elevations. Such boards may have a one-piece construction (see U.S. patent no. 6,412,778 (Alaimo; 2002-07-02)), a base and inserts .. defining the square planar spaces (see U.S. patent no. US 5,456,472 (Goodman; 1995-10-10);
U.S. patent publication no. US 2012/0098196 (Roberts; 2012-04-26);
International patent publication no. WO 2006/051141 (Moreno; 2006-05-18); and International patent publication no. WO 2017/031576 (Baxter; 2017-03-02)), or a plurality of platforms mounted at different elevations on rotatable support members (see U.S. patent no. US 4,348,027 (Escamilla-Kelly;
15. 1982-09-07)). Also known is a game board for playing a tic-tac-toe derivative strategy game, having four rotatable blocks, each having a flat grid of holders for player pieces (see U.S.
patent publication no. US 2007/0114719 (Floden; 2007-05-24)). Notwithstanding, there remains a need in the art for new game boards that enable play of different strategy games. It would also be desirable if such game boards could be conveniently stored when not in use.
1 , SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In one aspect, the present invention comprises a game board for use with a plurality of player pieces. The game board comprises a first part, a second, part, a third part, and a fourth part. Each part comprises an external surface. The external surface comprises a horizontally-oriented square lower surface. The external surface comprises a nxn array of horizontally-oriented square upper surfaces for supporting the player pieces, wherein n is an integer value greater than or equal to 4, wherein at least two of the upper surfaces are disposed at two different elevations levels above the lower surface. The external surface comprises four vertically-oriented side surfaces, wherein each of the side surfaces extends from a different edge of the square lower surface to the array of upper surfaces.

[0004] In one embodiment of the game board, the elevation levels of the first and second parts permit the first part to be vertically inverted and stacked on the second part, with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the first part in abutting contact with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the second part, and the lower surfaces and side surfaces of the first and second parts collectively defining an external surface of a first rectangular prism. The first rectangular prism may be a first cube.

[0005] In one embodiment of the game board, the elevation levels of the third and fourth parts permit the third part to be vertically inverted and stacked on the fourth part, with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the third part in abutting contact with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the fourth part, and the lower surfaces and side surfaces of the third and fourth parts collectively defining an external surface of a second rectangular prism. The second rectangular prism may be a second cube.

[0006] In one embodiment of the game board, n is 4.

[0007] In one embodiment of the game board, for each part, at least four of the upper surfaces are disposed at four different elevations levels above the lower surface. In embodiments, at least two of the upper surfaces horizontally adjacent to each other may be vertically separated by at least two elevation levels, or at least three elevation levels.

[0008] In one embodiment of the game board, each part comprises a plurality of blocks, each comprising one of the square upper surfaces, and attached together to form a single unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] In the drawings shown in the specification, like elements may be assigned like reference numerals. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, with the emphasis instead placed upon the principles of the present invention. Additionally, each of the embodiments depicted are but one of a number of possible arrangements utilizing the fundamental concepts of the present invention.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a top-front quarter perspective view of a first embodiment of a game board of the present invention, when the parts are separated from each other.

[0011] Figure 2A show a top-front perspective view of a first part of the game board of Figure 1.

[0012] Figure 2B shows a show a top-rear perspective view of the first part of Figure 2A.

[0013] Figure 2C shows a show a bottom-front perspective view of the first part of Figure 2A.

[0014] Figure 3 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 1, when the first part is stacked on the second part to form a first cube, and when the third part is stacked on the fourth part to form a second cube.

[0015] Figure 4 shows a map of normalized elevation values of the upper surfaces of the parts of the game board of Figure 1, relative to their lower surfaces.

[0016] Figure 5 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 1, when the parts are arranged in a 2 x 2 array, and player pieces are disposed on the upper surfaces to initiate game play between two players.

[0017] Figure 6 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 1, when the parts are arranged in a 2 x 2 array, and player pieces are disposed on the upper surfaces to initiate game play between four players.
.. [0018] Figure 7 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 5, after the player pieces have been moved to different upper surfaces as a result of game play.
[0019] Figure 8 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 7, after the fourth part has been rotated by 90 degrees counter-clockwise about a vertical axis as a result of game play.

[0020] Figure 9 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 8, after the second and fourth parts have been removed as a result of game play, leaving only the first and third parts.
[0021] Figure 10 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 9, after the third part has been translated horizontally in the direction of the Y-axis into alignment with the first part as a result of game play.
[0022] Figure 11 shows a top-front perspective view of the game board of Figure 10, after the third part has been removed as a result of game play, leaving only the first part.
[0023] Figure 12 shows a top-front perspective view of a second embodiment of a game board of the present invention, when the parts are separated from each other.
[0024] Figure 13 shows a top-front perspective view of a third embodiment of a game board of the present invention, when the parts are separated from each other.
[0025] Figure 14 shows a top-front perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a game board of the present invention, when the parts are separated from each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention relates to a game board for use with a plurality of player pieces.
Any term or expression not expressly defined herein shall have its commonly accepted definition understood by a person skilled in the art. "Player piece", as used herein, refers to any object that may be placed on the game board by a user of the game board.
As non-limiting illustrative examples, player pieces may be conventional chess pieces (i.e., a pawn, rook, knight, bishop, queen or king piece), conventional checkers piece (i.e., a cylindrical disc), or figurines representing a real or imaginary person, animal, deity, machine, or other object. In the Figures, a set of mutually perpendicular axes is shown for spatial reference, with the "X"
and "Y" axes being horizontally-oriented, and the "Z" axis being vertically-oriented.
[0027] Figure 1 shows a top-front perspective view of a first embodiment of a game board (10) of the present invention. The game board includes four separate parts (20, 40, 60, 80). In embodiments, the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) may be substantially similar or identical to each other.
As such, only the first part (20) is described in detail.
[0028] Figures 2A to 2C show a top-front, top-rear, and bottom-front perspective views of the embodiment of the first part (20).
[0029] The external surface of the first part (20) includes a horizontally-oriented square lower surface (102) that provides a base for resting on a supporting surface such as a table top. The lower surface (102) may comprise a relative soft material (e.g., foam, rubber, or felt cloth) to protect the table top from damage, or to prevent slippage between the lower surface (102) and the table top.
[0030] The external surface of the first part (20) also includes an n x n array of horizontally-oriented square upper surfaces (104), where n is any integer number greater than or equal to four. The value of n may be arbitrarily selected to make the array as simple or complicated as desired. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2C, n = 4, such that the first part (20) has sixteen upper surfaces (104). In this embodiment, the first part (20) may be conveniently made of a sixteen rectangular prismatic wooden blocks, each forming one of the upper surfaces (104), which are attached (e.g., by glue) at their abutting surfaces to form a single unitary block. In other embodiments, the first part (20) may be made in a variety of other ways (e.g., molding, or machine), using a variety of other materials (e.g., plastic, foam, metal, or cardboard) to achieve desired weight and aesthetic characteristics. Two of the exemplary upper surfaces (104) are labelled (104a, 104b). In other non-limiting embodiments (not shown), the value of n may be 5, 6, or greater. In one embodiment, the horizontal dimensions of the square upper surfaces (104) are constant within each part (20, 40, 60, 80), and among the parts (20, 40, 60 80). As a non-limiting example, each square upper surface (104) may have horizontal dimensions of about 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm (1" x 1"). In embodiments, the square upper surfaces (20, 40, 60, 80) may be outlined, or finished in different colors or surface finishes to better delineate them from each other.
[0031] At least two of the upper surfaces (104a, 104b) are disposed at two different discrete elevations above the lower surface (102). Except for satisfying this condition, the elevations of the upper surfaces (104a, 104b) may be arbitrarily selected to produce a desired "terrain"
of discrete elevation levels. The "terrain" of different parts (20, 40, 60, 80) may be the same as each other, or different from each other. In embodiments, the upper surfaces (104) occupy at least three different discrete elevation levels. In the embodiment shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the upper surfaces (104) occupy four different discrete elevation levels, with pairs of adjacent upper surfaces (104) vertically separated by one discrete elevation level. Figures 11, 12, and 13, show alternative embodiments of game boards (10) of the present invention where each part (20, 40, 60, 80) has upper surfaces (104) that occupy four different discrete elevation =
levels. Some pairs of adjacent upper surfaces (104) are vertically separated by one, two or three discrete elevation levels.
[0032] The external surface of the first part (20) also includes four vertically-oriented side surfaces (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d). Each side surface (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) extends from a different edge of the square lower surface (102) to a different edge of the array of upper surfaces (104). The side surfaces (106a, 106b, 106c, 106d) permit the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) to be abutted against each other without any substantial horizontal gap between them.
[0033] As shown in Figure 3, this embodiment of the first part (20) may be vertically inverted (by 180 degrees rotation about the Y-axis) and stacked on top of the second part (40), such that their peripheral upper surfaces (104) abut against each other, and their lower surfaces (102) and side surfaces (106) collectively define an external surface of a first rectangular prism (120), which may be a cube. Similarly, the third part (60) may be vertically inverted (by 180 degrees rotation about the Y-axis) and stacked on top of the fourth part (80), such that their peripheral upper surfaces (104) abut against each other, and their lower surfaces (102) and side surfaces (106) collectively define an external surface of a second rectangular prism (140), which may be a cube. "Peripheral upper surface", as used herein, refers to an upper surface (104) that has at least one edge coinciding with any one of the side surfaces (106). "Non-peripheral upper surface", as used herein, refers to any upper surface (104) that has no edge coinciding with any one of the side surfaces (106). In this embodiment, each part (20, 40, 60, 80) has 12 peripheral upper surfaces (104), and 4 non-peripheral upper surfaces (104). In this embodiment, both the first and second rectangular prisms (120, 140) are cubic, but in other embodiments, they may not be non-cubic rectangular prisms. This stacking of parts (20, 40, 60, 80) reduces the horizontal footprint occupied by the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) on a table top or shelf, when the game board (10) is not in use, and may allow them to be more conveniently transported in a case or a bag. As well, the faces of the upper surfaces (104) concealed so that they do not collect dust. When two of the parts (20 and 40; 60 and 80) are stacked as shown in Figure 3, visual markings (not shown), which may be applied on, engraved in, or otherwise marked on the side surfaces (106) of the stacked parts (20 and 40; 60 and 80) may come into alignment so as to form a coherent whole (e.g., a text label, a logo, or other design).
[0034] Figure 4 shows a map of the elevation values of the upper surfaces (104) of the embodiment of the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) shown in Figure 1 that permit their stacking as shown in Figure 3. The elevations values are measured vertically upwards from the lower surface (102), and normalized relative to the unit horizontal dimension of the square upper surfaces (104). As a non-limiting example, if the square upper surfaces (104) have horizontal dimensions of about 2.5 cm x 2.5 cm (1" x 1"), then an elevation value of 0.8 indicates that the upper surface/ (104) upper surface has an elevation value of 2 cm (0.8") above the lower surface (102). Having regard to Figure 4., in order for the lower surfaces (102) and the side surfaces (106) of two stackable parts (20 and 40;.. or 60 and 80) to collectively define an external surface of a rectangular prism, two conditions must be satisfied.
First, the elevation .
values of opposed pairs of peripheral upper surfaces (104) on stackable parts (20 and 40; or 60 and 80) must sum to a constant value, m, along the entire periphery of the arrays. For example, in the embodiment of Figure 4, m = 4Ø Second, the elevation values of any opposed pairs of non-peripheral upper surfaces (104) on stackable parts (20 and 40; or 60 and 80) must have a sum, which is less than or equal to m, so that they do not interfere with abutting contact of the peripheral upper surfaces (104) on stackable parts (20 and 40; or 60 and 80). In the embodiment of Figure 4, the elevation values of the four pairs of non-peripheral upper surfaces (104) on stackable parts (20 and 40; or 60 and 80) also have a sum equal to 4.0, so that they also abut against each other, but this is not strictly necessary. In order for the rectangular prism to form a cube, a third condition must be satisfied that m = /2, where n is the number of square upper surfaces' along one side of the n x n array of upper surfaces (104).
Having regard to the foregoing conditions, it will be apparent that numerous elevation maps may permit stacking of pairs of the parts (20 and 40; or 60 and 80) so that their lower surfaces (102) and side surfaces (106) collectively define an external surface of rectangular prisms, and preferably cubes. For example, Figures 12, 13, and 14 show alternative embodiments of game boards (10) of the present invention having first and second parts (20, 40) that are stackable into a first cube, and third and fourth parts (60, 80) that are stackable into a second cube.
[0035] The game board (10) of the present invention may be used for playing a strategy game, which the inventor refers to as "Four Squared (42)1. The general method of game play is described below with reference to the embodiment of the game board (10) shown in Figure 1.
[0036] Figure 5 shows the game board (10) of Figure 1 initiated for game play between two players. The parts (20, 40, 60, 80) are arranged in a 2 x 2 grid, such that each part (20, 40, 60, 80) has a pair of side surfaces (106) in abutting relationship with the side surfaces (106) of two other parts (20, 40, 60, 80). The first player's four player pieces (160) are placed on the four upper surfaces (104) located at the four corners of the assembled game board (10). The second player's four player pieces (180) are placed on the four upper surfaces (104) located at the center of the assembled game board (10). In the embodiment shown, the player pieces (160) have a triangular prismatic shape, while the player pieces (180) have a pentagonal prismatic shape, so that they are visually distinct from each other. In other embodiments they may be visually distinct in other ways, such as one or a combination of shape, color, pattern, ornament.
[0037] Figure 6 shows the game board (10) of Figure 1 initiated for game play between four players. The four player pieces (160) are divided among the first and second players, while the four player pieces (180) are divided equally among the third and fourth players;
accordingly, each player has two player pieces (160 or 180). In order to visually distinguish the player pieces (160) of the first and second players, the first player's player pieces (160) are removably attached to first bases (200) having a square shape, while the second player's player pieces are removably attached to second bases (220) having an octagonal shape.
Likewise, in order to visually distinguish the player pieces (180) of the second and third players, the third player's player pieces (180) are removably attached to the first bases (200) having the square shape, while the fourth player's player pieces are removably attached to the second bases (220) having the octagonal shape. The removable attachment of the player pieces (160, 180) and the bases (200, 220) may be effected by a variety of means such as friction-fit or snap-fit between complementary parts, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any other type of non-permanent fastener.
Thus, four visually distinct player piece assemblies can be formed with the use of two visually distinct first parts (e.g., player pieces (160, 180)), each of which are removably attachable to two visually distinct second parts (e.g., bases (200, 220)). In other embodiments, the second parts may be visually distinct in other ways, such as one or a combination of shape, color, pattern, ornament. In other embodiments, the second parts may be removably attachable to any portion of the first part. To initiate game play, each player's player piece assemblies are positioned at the four corners of the game board (10) as shown in Figure 6.
The game board (10) can also be initiated for game play between three players in a similar manner, using only six of the player piece assemblies.
[0038] The players sequentially take turns to make four moves. A move of a player piece from one upper surface (104) to an adjacent upper surface (104) is considered to be a single move. For example, Figure 7 shows the game board (10) of Figure 5 after the player pieces (160, 180) have been moved during game play. However, a player cannot be moved in the following ways: diagonally; to an adjacent upper surface (104) having an elevation difference of more than one elevation level; into the path of another player's player piece; or, into an upper surface (104) that was previously occupied by the player piece during the same turn.
[0039] Rotation of a game board part (20, 40, 60, 80) by either 90 degrees clockwise or 90 degrees counter-clockwise about a vertical axis to change the configuration of the board (10) is also considered to be a single move. For example, Figure 8 shows the game board (10) of Figure 7 after the fourth part (80) has been rotated by 90 degrees counter-clockwise about a vertical axis. However, players are permitted to rotate a part (20, 40, 60, 80) only if it is occupied by the player's own player piece. Also, players are not permitted to reverse a rotation of a part (20, 40, 60, 80), which was executed by the opposing player in an immediately preceding turn.

[0040] For example, subject to the above limitations, any of the following combination of four moves will complete a turn: moving a player piece by four adjacent upper surfaces (104);
moving each of two different player pieces by two adjacent upper surfaces (104); moving each of four different player pieces by one adjacent upper surface (104); or moving each of three player pieces by one adjacent upper surfaces (104), and rotating one of the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) by 90 degrees clockwise about a vertical axis.
[0041] The player's object is for its player pieces (160) to capture the opposing player pieces (180). A player piece (160) can capture an opposing player piece (180) by jumping down on the opposing player piece (180) from an adjacent upper surface (104) that is one elevation level higher than the upper surface (104) occupied by the opposing player piece (108). A
player piece (160) can also capture an opposing player piece (180) by pushing the opposing player piece (180) off of the game board (10), or off of an upper surface (104) that is two or more elevation levels above an adjacent upper surface (104). The player piece (160) may push in any direction. However, the player piece (160) must push from an upper surface (104) that is at an elevation level that is the same as or higher than the upper surface (104) occupied by the opposing player piece (180). Further, the player piece (160) can only push the opposing player piece (180) by one adjacent upper surface (104), and that pushing terminates the movement of that player piece (160).
[0042] Once a part (20, 40, 60, 80) is no longer occupied by any of the player pieces (160, 180), the part (20, 40, 60, 80) is removed from game play. For example, Figure 9 shows the game board (10) when only the first and third parts (20 and 60) are left in play. In the event that the two parts are disposed diagonally to each other such as shown in Figure 9, the player whose player piece moved off the last-removed part gets to select how to abut the side faces (106) of remaining parts. For example, Figure 10, shows that the player has selected to abut the side faces (106) of the first and third parts (20 and 60) that are parallel with the Y-axis, rather than the side faces that are parallel with the X-axis.
[0043] Game play continues until there are only two player pieces (160, 180) on one of the parts (20, 40, 60, 80) left in play, such as shown in Figure 11. A player wins if its player piece is the "last man standing" or if it occupies one of the four non-peripheral upper spaces (104) for more than two consecutive turns.
[0044] When game play is completed, the players may remove any player pieces (160, 180) remaining on the parts (20, 40, 60, 80). The first part (20) may be inverted and stacked on the second part (40) to form a first rectangular prism (120), while the third part (60) may be inverted and stacked on the fourth part (80) to form a second rectangular prism (140). The first rectangular prism (120) and the fourth rectangular prism (140) may be conveniently placed on a table top or a shelf, or placed into a case or bag, until they are to be used again.
[0045] Interpretation.
[0046] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or steps plus function elements in the claims appended to this specification are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.
[0047] References in the specification to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", etc., indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes that aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment referred to in other portions of the specification. Further, when a particular aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect or connect such module, aspect, feature, structure, or characteristic with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described. In other words, any module, element or feature may be combined with any other element or feature in different embodiments, unless there is an obvious or inherent incompatibility, or it is specifically excluded.
[0048] It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for the use of exclusive terminology, such as "solely," "only," and the like, in connection with the recitation of claim elements or use of a "negative" limitation. The terms "preferably,"
"preferred," "prefer,"
"optionally," "may," and similar terms are used to indicate that an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (not required) feature of the invention.
[0049] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "and/or" means any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated. The phrase "one or more" is readily understood by one of skill in the art, particularly when read in context of its usage.
[0050] The term "about" can refer to a variation of 5%, 10%, 20%, or 25% of the value specified. For example, "about 50" percent can in some embodiments carry a variation from 45 to 55 percent. For integer ranges, the term "about" can include one or two integers greater than and/or less than a recited integer at each end of the range.
Unless indicated otherwise herein, the term "about" is intended to include values and ranges proximate to the recited range that are equivalent in terms of the functionality of the composition, or the embodiment.
[0051] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges recited herein also encompass any and all possible sub-ranges and combinations of sub-ranges thereof, as well as the individual values making up the range, particularly integer values. A recited range includes each specific value, integer, decimal, or identity within the range. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, or tenths. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc.
[0052] As will also be understood by one skilled in the art, all language such as "up to", "at least", "greater than", "less than", "more than", "or more", and the like, include the number recited and such terms refer to ranges that can be subsequently broken down into sub-ranges as discussed above. In the same manner, all ratios recited herein also include all sub-ratios falling within the broader ratio.

Claims (10)

What is claimed:

1. A game board for use with a plurality of player pieces, comprising a first part, a second, part, a third part, and a fourth part, wherein each part comprises an external surface compris ing:
(a) a horizontally-oriented square lower surface;
(b) a nx n array of horizontally-oriented square upper surfaces for supporting the player pieces, wherein n is an integer value greater than or equal to 4, wherein at least two of the upper surfaces are disposed at two different elevations levels above the lower surface; and (c) four vertically-oriented side surfaces, wherein each of the side surfaces extends from a different edge of the square lower surface to the array of upper surfaces.

2. The game board of claim 1, wherein the elevation levels of the first and second parts permit the first part to be vertically inverted and stacked on the second part, with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the first part in abutting contact with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the second part, and the lower surfaces and side surfaces of the first and second parts collectively defining an external surface of a first rectangular prism.

3. The game board of claim 2, wherein the first rectangular prism is a first cube.

4. The game board of claim 2, wherein the elevation levels of the third and fourth parts permit the third part to be vertically inverted and stacked on the fourth part, with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the third part in abutting contact with the upper surfaces on a periphery of the array of the fourth part, and the lower surfaces and side surfaces of the third and fourth parts collectively defining an external surface of a second rectangular prism.

5. The game board of claim 4, wherein the second rectangular prism is a second cube.

6. The game board of claim 1, wherein n is 4.

7. The game board of claim 1, wherein, for each part, at least four of the upper surfaces are disposed at four different elevations levels above the lower surface.

8. The game board of claim 7, wherein, for each part, at least two of the upper surfaces horizontally adjacent to each other are vertically separated by at least two elevation levels.

9. The game board of claim 8, wherein, for each part, at least two of the upper surfaces horizontally adjacent to each other are vertically separated by three elevation levels.

10. The game board of claim 1, wherein each part comprises a plurality of blocks, each comprising one of the square upper surfaces, and attached together to form a single unit.