GB2227674A - Word game - Google Patents

Abstract

A word game comprises a board 11 providing a playing surface with orthogonal rows and columns defining squares of alternate colour, and two sets of playing pieces 12-15 being indications of a letter, the letters forming the word YOGA. Players move the pieces in turn in accordance with rules to re-form the word at the other end of the board or in another position. Obstacle pieces 20 may be used. In another example there is a piece providing a letter and each player has pieces which form a word with that letter. The board may have playing areas on both sides. Masks and frames may obscure or enlarge the playing surface. The moves are akin to chess or draughts. <IMAGE>

Description

GAMES APPARATUS This invention relates to games apparatus.

According to this invention games apparatus comprises means providing a playing surface, the playing surface providing defined playing areas, and two sets of playing pieces movable between areas on the surface, each piece providing an indication of a letter, the letters of the pieces in a set forming a word either by themselves or in combination with at least one other piece providing an indication of a letter.

The indication may be the letter or a mark or colour corresponding to a letter. The mark could be a number.

In the case where the playing pieces each have a different colour providing an indication of a letter, the pieces may additionally be numbered.

There may be four pieces in each set.

The word may be YOGA.

There may be more than two sets of playing pieces, e.g. five or six sets or more e.g. seven or eight.

Each set could have five pieces.

The word may be SWITCH.

The means may have opposite sides each providing a said playing surface.

The areas may be in orthogonal rows and columns. The areas may be square.

There may be nine rows and nine columns.

Alternate areas in the rows and columns may have different colours.

The apparatus may include one or more masks or frames for obscuring part of the playing surface or enlarging same.

There may be rules governing use of the apparatus.

The rules may specify permitted moves of the pieces.

In a modification, the letters may form more than one word e.g. YOGA and GOYA (for hispanic speakers).

In the case of GOYA, the letters are initially placed as AYOG. The rules are unchanged.

In other modifications the numbers or indications may be in Braille, and there may be other tactile marks on the playing pieces to aid or assist the blind and partially sighted to differentiate between the playing pieces or colours.

There may be different markings for different nationalities e.g. Yugoslavian or Oriental or Greek or Afro/Asian letters and/6r numbers.

The invention includes games apparatus comprising a board on eacn side providing a playing surface providing defined playing areas in orthogonal rows and columns, these being more than eight rows and more than eight columns.

The invention may be performed in various ways and some specific embodiments with possible modifications will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a view of a board providing a playing surface; Fig. 2 shows various masks for use with the board; Fig. 3 is another view of the board; Figs. W to 8 are views of the board with certain areas masked and playing pieces in various start positions; Fig. 9 shows a frame; and Fig. 10 shows playing elements.

The apparatus and the games played can take several forms. If desiredaclock can be provided to give an adjustable maximum time for playing a game or a certain number of moves, as in chess.

In the apparatus 10 of Fig. 1 a checker board or draughts board 11 has nine rows A to I and nine columns 1 to 9 of squares with alternate squares of different colours, for example white and black. Each player has four playing pieces 12-15 respectively marked A, G, O, Y and sized to occupy one square. Initially the pieces are placed on the black squares on rows A and I. The players throw a coin to decide who plays first, or decide in some other way for example in alphabetical order or in the colours of their playing pieces e.g. Aqua blue before Green, Orange before Yellow. A die may replace the coin.

The object of the game is for a player to move his pieces to the black squares at the opposite side or base line of the board 11 and in reverse order so that they spell YOGA e.g. piece 15 on column 2, 14 on column 4, 13 on column 6, 12 on column 8.

Each piece has certain possible moves.

Piece 15(Y) can move diagonally forwards, left or right, two squares; or two squares rearwards in a column.

Piece 12(A) may move one square diagonally forwards, left or right; or two squares diagonally rearwards, left or right; or two squares leftwards or rightwards in a row.

Piece 14(0) may move diagonally one square, left or right, forwards or rearwards.

Piece 13(G) may move two squares to the left in a row; or two squares forwards or rearwards, in a column; or one square diagonally forwards and to the right.

A first player may take (i.e. capture) a piece of the second player if that piece of the second player is a) of the same type as the piece of the first player and b) if the piece of the second player stands on the square to wnich the first player wishes to move his piece. Thus if piece 13 wishes to move to a square which is two squares to the left and the piece 13 of the other player is on that square, that piece 13 can be removed when the first piece 13 is moved to the square two squares to the left.

The game is for two players; or two teams with the players in each team playing in turn. Certain games (see below) may have more than two individual players.

Thus if a player or team loses a piece he or they cannot win.

The apparatus may include one or more obstacle pieces 20 which may or may not be placed on specified squares on the board prior to the game starting. The pieces 20 block certain moves. The playing pieces of one player may be a different colour to those of the other player or players, or carry a different number.

The playing pieces and obstacle pieces may be moulded of plastics.

The apparatus 10 may include various flat masks with central aperture to reduce the effective playing area of the board. For example masks 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 Fig. 2.

The outer border 22 may be in the form of a separate frame carrying letters and numbers; this could be used with an existing chess or draughts board.

The masks may be orientated as shown, or turned through goo.

A first game YOGAMAZING may be played as above. In one example the rules may provide that the obstacle pieces be placed on squares C2, C8, E4, G2, G8.

In a second game PLAYOGA 1 a slide mask 40 or 41 is used to block columns 1 and 9.

In a third game PLAYOGA 2 a mask 30 blocks out rows A and I and columns 1 and 9 and the pieces are placed on the white squares in base rows B and H.

In a fourth game PLAYOGA 3, the board is turned through 900 and a mask reduces the board to columns (now rows) 1 to 5, the pieces starting on the black squares in rows 1 and 5.

In a fifth game PLAYOGA 4, rows A, B, H, I and columns 1 and 9 are obscured, the pieces starting on the black squares.

In a sixth game EASYOGA 1, rows A to C and G to I are obscured. The pieces start on the white squares in rows D aiid F. Obstacle pieces cannot be used, and pieces naccot be taken.

In a seventh game EASYOGA 2, the squares Dl, El, Fl and D9, E9, F9 are also obscured; otherwise as in EASYOGA 1.

In other games YOGASIDE similar to the first to fifth games, the pieces initially start in columns 1 and 9 and have to reach columns 9 and 1 respectively, the masks being moved through 900 as appropriate.

In YOGASIDE 1 the full board is used with or without obstacles. At the start the letters A are on B1, 9H; letters G on D1 and F9; letters 0 on F1 and 1)9; letters Y on H1 and 93. Play is between left and right sides.

YOGASIDE 2 is as 1 but cover columns 8 and 9.

In OGASII)J? 3 rows H and I are covered and the pieces start on the white Squares.

In YOGASIDE 4 rows H and I and columns 8, 9 are covered. No obstacles are used. Pieces start on white squares.

In YOGASIDE 5 rows H, I and columns 6 to 9 are covered; no capturing; no obstacles; pieces start on white squares.

YOGASIDE 6 is like YOGASIDE 5 but columns 4 and 5 are also covered.

In YOGADROITHNESS 1 the rules are as in PLAYOGA 1 but tile pieces start on columns 1 and 9, letters Y on B1, H9; letters G on Fl, D9; letters 0 on D1, F9; letters A on Hl, B9. Play is from right to left and vie versa. YOGADROITNESS 2 is as in 1 but obstacles may be on squares 4C, 4G, 6C, 6G.

In YOGADROITNESS 3 there are sixty three squares (columns 8 and 9 covered).

YOGADROITNESS 4 is as YOGADROITNESS 3 but with obstacles on squares 4A, 4E, 4I.

YOGADROITNESS 5 is simi]ar to YOGADROITNESS 3 but columns 6 to 9 are covered so pieces start on columns 1, 5.

YOGADROITNESS 6 is as YOGADROITNESS 5 but obstacles are on squares 3B, 311.

In YOGADROITNESS 7 there are no obstacles; no capturing; columns 4 to 9 are covered.

In YOGADROITNESS 8 rows A and I are covered.

YOGADROITNESS 9 is as 8 but with obstacles on squares 3B, 4E, 6E, H7.

YOGADROITNESS 10 is as 8 but with columns 8, 9 also covered.

YOGADROITNESS 11 is as 10 but with obstacles on squares 3B, 4c, 4G, 5H.

In YOGADROITNESS 12 rows A, I and columns 6 to 9 are covered.

YOGADROITNESS 13 is as 12 but with obstacles on squares 3B, 3H.

In YOGADROITNESS 14 rows A, I and columns 4 to 9 are covered; no capturing; no obstacles.

In the game YOGAGONIST 1 the full board is used with letters Y on A8 and 12, 0 on A6 and I4, G on A4 and 16, and A on A2 and I8 at the start. Play is as for YOGAMAZING, top to bottom and vice versa.

In XOGAGONIST 2 is as 1 but with obstacles on squares 4E, 51), 5F, 6E.

In YOGAMAZING 3 rows H and I are covered and the pieces start on rows A and G.

YOGAMAZING 4 is as 3 but with obstacles on squares ID, 53, 5F, 91).

In YOGAGONIST 5 rows H, I and columns 1 and 9 are covered. Pieces start on rows A, G.

YOGAMAZING 6 is as 5 but with obstacles on squares 2C, 5D, 8E.

In YOGAMAZING 7 columns 1 and 9 and rows F to I are covered; pieces start on rows A, E.

YOGAMAZING 8 is as 7 but with obstacles on square 3D, 7B.

In YOGAGONlST 9, rows F to I are covered; pieces start on rows A, E.

YUGAGONIST 10 is as 9 but with obstacles on squares IB, 31), 73, 9D.

In YOGAGOINST 11 rows D to I are covered; pieces start on rows A, C; no capturing; no obstacles.

YOGAGOINST 12 is as 11 but columns 1 and 9 are covered.

In YOGAGONIST 13 the full board is used.

A player moves only his pieces A, a, Y (the 0 piece remaining stationary) and tries to form the word YOGA using his opponents 0 piece.

YOGAGOINST 14 is the same as 13 but with obstacles on squares 3D, 3H, 73, 7F.

YOGAGOINST 15 is the same as 13 but with rows H and I covered. Pieces start on rows A, G.

YOGAGOINST 16 is the same as 15 but with obstacles on squares 3D, 7D.

YOGAGOINST 17 is the same as 15 but with columns 1 and 9 covered.

YOGAGONlST 18 is the same as 17 but with obstacles on squares 4E, 6C.

YOGAGOINST 19 is the same as 17 but with rows F, G also covered. Pieces start on rows A, E.

YOGAGOINST 20 is the same as 19 but with obstacles on squares 3D, 7B.

Figure 3 shows the starting position for a further game YOGALTERNATIVE 1 which has the same rules as PLAYOGA 1 but the 0 pieces remain stationary and a player moves his A, G, Y pieces to try to form the word YOGA using the 0 piece of his opponent. Thus if the player whose pieces start in column 3 is to win, his A piece must move to H7, his G piece to F7 and his Y piece to B7.

Figure W to 8 show the board with certain areas covered.

YOGALTERNATIVE 2 is as 1 but using a board as in Fig. 6.

YOGALTERNATIVE 3 is as 1 but with rows A, I covered (Fig. 5).

YOGALTERNATIVE 4 is as 1 but with board as in Fig. W.

YOGALTERNATIVE 5 is as 1 but with the board as in Fig. 8.

YOGALTERNATIVE 6 is as 1 but with the board as in Fig. 7.

YOGALTERNATIVE 7 place neutral letter 0 on square 5E; the object is to rearrange letters A.G.Y. to spell (with the letter 0) YOGA either horizontally or vertically; place letters A.G.Y. on squares / A on I3, A7 / G on I5, A5 / Y on I7, A3: Thus to win one player may spell YOGA on squares 3-5-7-9 along Row E or on squares C-E-G-I down column 5 opponent on squares 7-5-3-1 along row E or on squares G-E-C-A, down column 5. Playis upwards from player.

YOGALTERNATIVE 8 same placement of letters as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but cover columns 1 and 9, and spell YOGA vertically down column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 9 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 8 but cover columns 2 and 8 as well.

YOGALTERNATIVE 10 place neutral letter 0 on square 5E and play from toP to bottom and vice versa; start letters A on 3A, 7I/G on 5A, 5I/Y on 7A, 31. Same finishing moves as YOGALTERNATIVE 7.

YOGALTERNATIVE 11 same placement of letters as YOGALTERNATIVE 10 but cover columns 1 and 9 and spell YOGA vertically in column .

YOGALTERNATIVE 12 same as YOGALTEHNATIVE 11 but cover columns 2 and 8 as well.

YOGALTERNATIVE 13 play from left to right and vice versa same rules as YOGALTERNATIVE 7, but place start letters A on Cl, G9/G on El, E9/Y on Gl, C9. Same finishing moves as YOGALTERNATIVE 7.

YOGALTERNATIVE 14 cover columns 1 and 9 to make game harder and place start letters A.G.Y. in columns 3 and 7 and spell YOGA vertically in column 5 Letters A on 3C, 7G/G on 3E, 7E/Y on 3G, 7C.

YOGALTERNATIVE 15 cover columns 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 and play as YOGALTERNATIVE 14.

YOGALTERNATIVE 16 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 13 but cover rows A and I and spell YOGA horizontally along row 3.

YOGALTERNATIVE 17 play from right to left and vice versa same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7, but place start letters A on Gl, c9/G on El, E9/Y on Cl, G9 same finishing moves as YOGALTERNATIVE 7.

YOGALTERNATIVE 18 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 17 but cover columns 1 and 9 and place start letters A.G.Y. on columns 3 and 7, letters A on 7C, 3G/G on E7, E3/Y on 7G, 3C and spell YOGA vertically in column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 19 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 18 but cover columns 2 and 8 as well and spell YOGA vertically in column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 20 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but with obstacles on squares 4D, 6D/4F, 6F.

YOGALTERNATIVE 21 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but with obstacles on squares B2, B8/H2, H8.

YOGALTERNATIVE 22 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but with obstacles on squares B2, B8/Cl, C9/Gl, G9/H2, ii8.

YOGALTERNATIVE 23 the board here has 9 down and 7 across squares same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but cover columns 1 and 9 and place obstacles on squares B2, B8/H2 H8, and spell YOGA vertically down column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 24 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but cover columns 1 and 9 and place obstacles on squares B8, C7, 1 > 8, F2, G3, H2 and spell YOGA vertically down column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 25 same as YOGALTERNATIVE 7 but cover columns 1 and 9 and place obstacles on squares B8/ D8/F2/H2, and spell YOGA vertically down column 5.

YOGALTERNATIVE 26 the board here has 9 down and 5 across squares same as YOGALTERIiATIVE 7 but cover column 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 and spell YOGA vertically down column 5.

The masks may vary in shape so that the actual squares used for a particular game can be varied over the board, but with the effective playing area, and the relative start positions of the pieces, as above.

In YOGAROUIAD 1 rows A, I and columns 8, 9 are covered. Pieces A start on Bl and 7H; pieces G on D1 and 7F; pieces 0 on Fl and D7; pieces Y on Hl and B7. The rules are as in PLAYOGA 1. A player tries to move his pieces to form the word YOGA (with the pieces spaced by one space) along three orthogonal lines and finally back to the start row or column; both players moving clockwise.

Thus the player starting with pieces in column 1 with the Y piece nearest to him on Hl will first form YOGA in row B with the Y at the left end (Bl), then in column 7 with the Y at the forward end (B7), then in row H with the Y at the right end (H7), and finally in column 1 with the R on Hl. The player starting with pieces in column 7 will first form YOGA in row H with the Y at his left end (H2), then column 1 with the Y at his forward end (Hl), then row B with the Y at his right end (B1), and finally in column 7 with the Y on B7.

ZOGAROUND 2 is as 1 but with obstacles on square C4, E2, S6, G4.

Coins may be used as obstacles.

The apparatus may include a printed set of rules.

The squares may each have a central aperture for removably receiving a peg or a playing piece or obstacle to resist inadvertent movement of the playing pieces or obstacles.

Tne letters may form a word other than YOGA.

YOGACCOMPLISH 1 in this case the board has nine squares across and nine squares down and there are four players respectively on the four sides so that two adjacent sides are numbered 1 to.9 and two adjacent sides are marked A to I. Same rules as YOGAMAZING.

A game for four players (singles) in which each player may take any corresponding pieces belonging to any or all other three players if they so wish i.e. letter A of one player may find it possible to take any or all three of an opponents pieces by using its own movements.

Play from baseline upwards and try to rearrange letters to spell YOGA on the top row for the particular player.

YOGACCOMPLISH2: DOUBLES or PAIRS. Each player may help their partner by blocking any moves by their opponents. Opponents pieces may still be taken under YOGAMAZING rules; both players must spell YOGA.

same placement of letters as YOGACCOMPLISH 1.

Place letters A on I2 - 9H - 8A - B1 G on I4 - 9F - 6A - Dl O on I6 - 9D - 4A - Fl Y on I8 - 9B - 2A - Hl YOGACCOMPLISH 3 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 1 but letter 0 remains stationary on the top row. Rearrange letters A.G.

Y. to spell YOGA on the top row.

YOGACCOMPLISH 4 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 2 but letter O remains stationary on the top row. Rearrange letters A.G.Y. to form the word YOGA, on the top row.

YOGACCOMPLISH 5 place neutral letter 0 on square SE and playing from baseline upwards rearrange letters A.G.Y.

along or down row E or column 5 or vice versa to form the word YOGA.

To start place letter A on I3, 9G, 7A, lC place letter G on I5, 9E, 5A, 1E place letter Y on I7, 9C, 3A, lG opponents pieces may still be taken under YOGAMAZING rules.

YOGACCOMPLISH 6 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 1 but each player plays from top to bottom. Place start letters on squares: A on 2A, 9B, 81, 1H G on 4A, 9V, 61, IF O on 6A, 9F, 4I, 1D Y on 8A, 9H, 2I, 1B YOGACCOMPLISH 7 same layout as YOGACCOMPLISH 6 but same rules as YOGACCOMPLISH 2.

$YOGACCOMPLISH 8 same layout as YOGACCOMPLISH 6 but letter O remains stationary on baseline, same as YOGACCOMPLISH 3 but play from top to bottom.

YOGACCOMPLISH 9 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 4 but letter 0 remains stationary on baseline. Play from top to bottom.

YOGACCOMPLISH 10 similar to YOGACCOMPLISH 5 and playing from top to bottom. Rearrange letters A.G.Y.

around letter 0 to form the word YOGA either along row E or down column 5 or vice versa; place start letters on squares: A on 3A, 9C, 71, lG G on 5A, 9E, 51, 1E Y on 7A, 9G, 31, lC YOGACCOMPLISH 11 each player must play from left to right and try to rearrange their letters to spell YOGA on their right hand side.

YOGACCOMPLISH 12 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 11. Both players must rearrange their letters to spell YOGA down their right hand side, and may help each other by blocking any moves by their opponents.

YOGACCOMPLISH 13 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 11, but letter 0 remains stationary on right hand side.

YOGACCOMPLISH lh same layout as YOGACCOMPLISH 13, but same rules as YOGACCOMPLISH 12. Place start letters: A on Bl, 8A, 9H, 21 G on Dl, 6A, 9F, 4I O on Fl, 4A, 91), 61 Y on H1, 2A, 9B, 81 YOGACCOMPLISH 15 place neutral letter 0 on 5E and rearrange letters A.G.Y. to form the word YOGA either along row E or down column 5 or vice-versa.

Place start letter A on Cl, 7A, 9G, I3 Place start letter G on El, SA, 9E, 15 Place start letter Y on Gl, 3A, 9C, I7 YOGACCOMPLISH 16 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 11 but play from right to left.

Place start letter A on 9B, 8I, iH, 2A Place start letter G on 9D, 61, lF, 4A Place start letter 0 on 9F, 4I, ID, 6A Place start letter Y on 9H, 2I IB, 8A Each player must play from right to left and try to rearrange his letters to spell YOGA on his left hand side.

YOGACCOMPLISH 17 same as YOGACCOMPLISH 16 but both players may help each other by blocking opponents moves.

Both players must spell YOGA.

YOGACCOMPLISH 18 letter 0 remains stationary in left hand column, rearrange letters A.G.Y. to spell YOGA.

YOGACCOMPLISH 19 same as 18 but both players may help each other by blocking opponents moves.

YOGACCOMPLISH 20 place neutral letter 0 on 5E and rearrange letters A.G.Y. to spell YOGA either along row E or down column 5 or vice versa.

Place start letter A on 9C, 71, lG, 3A Place start letter G on 9E, 51, 1E, 5A Place start letter Y on 9G. 31, 1C, 7A YOGADVANCED 1 All YOGAMES may use numbered coloured pieces (e.g. cones-pegs-pawns-figurines) to represent letters A.G.O.Y. The pieces may be Aqua Blue/Green/ Orange/Yellow, or other. Same rules - same movements as YOGAMiAZING. Each set of pieces is respectively numbered one to four.

YOGADVANCED 2 By playing two games simultaneously, but moving only one piece at a time. Place two sets of pieces on squares. Thereby each player on bottom row would have to reach top row with eight pieces in correct positions to claim game as in YOGACCOMPLISH 1. Same rules - same movements as YOGAMAZING.

YOGADVANCED 3 By playing two games simultaneously but from opposite ends of the board, i.e. player with four pieces on bottom row would also have four pieces on top row, bottom row playing upwards, top row downwards, i.e. a combination of YOGACCOtIPLISH 1 and YOGACCOMPLISH 6 but moving only one piece at a time. Same rules - same movements as YOGAMAZING.

A piece may carry on taking if it so wishes as long as it follows its own movement. It may take any or all other corresponding pieces. A piece does not have to take a corresponding piece if it does not wish to, a piece may not share a square with an opponents corresponding piece, nor any other square with opponents pieces on, unless it is the laying out or finish of the game(s) as in YOGADVANCED 2 and YOGADVANCED 3. The pieces may be numbered one to eight. The ultimate object of the game is for 2 Players each playing 4 games with numbered coloured playing pieces left to right/right to left/ top to bottom/bottom to top. Apart from layout and finishing moves, pieces may not share a square. A piece does not have to take a correspond piece if it does not want to.A piece may take any number of corresponding pieces if it so wishes, as long as it follows its own line of movement(s). A piece must move if it has been touched. Play in clockwise direction after deciding who goes first. For beginners use 9 x 9 or 7 x 7 board, with letters, then pawns, then pawns and obstacles.

In a modification the reverse side of the board is also provided with nine rows and columns of black and white squares as the top side.

In this case each player has five pieces representing the letters SWTCH, and a further (neutral) piece represents the letter I.

Using reverse side of board Fig. 2 and frame/mask 30 rearrange letters S.W.T.C.H. around neutral letter I which is placed on square 5E and try to spell the word SWITCH either horizontally or vertically or from left to right diagonally downwards or from left to right diagonally upwards.

Place start letters S on H3, B7 W on H4, B6 T on H5, B5 C on H6, B4 H on H7, B3 Starting positions for game of SWITCH 3.

SWITCH 1 Place letter I on predetermined square 5E and rearrange letters S.W.T.C.H. to spell SWITCH either horizontally from left to right diagonally downwards or from left to right diagonally upwards; or down column 5.

Place start letters S on I1, A9 W on 13, A7 T on 15, A5 C on I7, A3 H on I9, Al SWITCH 2 Same as SWITCH 1 but cover rows A and I and place start letters on rows B and H. Letters may move horizontally or vertically one square at a time to an empty square or to square to take corresponding letter standing in its way.

SWITCH W Place frame/mask 30 around board as in Fig. 2 to cover columns 1 and 9 and rows A and I and rearrange letters S.W.T.C.H. around your opponents letter I to spell SWITCH. Start letters S on H3, B7/W on H4, B6/I on H5, B5/T on H6, B4/C on H7, B3/H on H8, B2.

SWITCH 5 Same as SWITCH 4 but cover rows B and H as well. Place start letters on rows C and G.

SWITCH 6 Same as SWITCH 5 but cover row G as well.

Place start letters on rows C and F.

SWITCH 7 Same as SWITCH 6 but cover row C as well.

Pieces start on rows D and F. No rules, no piece taking, just spell SWITCH.

The Rules may provide that if a player touches one of his playing pieces, then he must move that piece.

A player could have two sets of pieces, for example to play two games simultaneously on the same board.

In a modification the board is enlarged by a suitably marked element so as to have 121 squares i.e.

11 squares on each side see Fig. 9.

A player can have YOGA and SWITCH pieces. There could be two or more pieces common to the word, instead of the single piece I.

Claims (20)

CLAINsS

1. Games apparatus comprising means providing a playing surface, the playing surface providing defined playing areas, and two sets of pieces movable between areas on the surface, each piece providing an indication of a letter, the letters of the pieces in a set forming a word either by themselves or in combination with at least one other piece providing an indication of a letter.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the indication is a letter.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the indication is a colour.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the indication is a mark.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4, in which the mark is a number.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, in which the indication is in Braille or other tactile marking.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the letters of the pieces in a set form two words, each word being formed of all the pieces in the set.

8. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, including four pieces in each set.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 7, in which there are five pieces in a set and one said other piece.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the areas are in orthogonal rows and columns.

11. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the areas are square.

12. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 10 or Claim 11, in which there are nine or more rows and columns.

13. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising one or more masks for obscuring part of the playing surface.

14. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, comprising one or more frames for enlarging the playing surface and providing more playing areas.

15. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, includ ing one or more obstacle pieces, each placeable on one of said areas.

16. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the means provides a said playing surface on each of two opposite sides.

17. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding Claim, in which the word is YOGA.

18. Apparatus as claimed in any of Claims 1 to 16, in which the word is SWITCH.

19. Games apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

20. Games apparatus comprising a board on each side providing a playing surface providing defined playing areas in orthogonal rows and columns, these being more than eight rows and more than eight columns.