Amusement devices: games – Board games – pieces – or boards therefor – Piece moves over board having pattern
Patent
1996-07-15
1997-07-15
Stoll, William E.
Amusement devices: games
Board games, pieces, or boards therefor
Piece moves over board having pattern
A63F 302
Patent
active
056475934
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates in general to chess-like games, and in particular to a simplified version of the chess game suitable to novices, children and a large section of the general public who find the game of chess too difficult, or too slow to learn and play.
BACKGROUND ART
Chess is an ancient game which has fascinated people interested in it for many generations. It has been suggested by researchers that chess originated in India in the sixth century AD, and entered Europe via Persia.
Over a period, many people have devised new games based on the concepts of chess, so as to provide new variations or to make the game simpler.
Examples of some of these variations can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,093,237 to Weiss, 5,275,414 to Stephens et al, and 5,306,017 to Huston. However, none of these and other similar inventions seem to be easier versions of chess. In fact, many of these games appear to be more complex than the conventional game of chess.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,787 to Miccio is an attempt to simplify the game of chess, wherein both the size of the board and the number of pieces have been reduced. Nevertheless, due to the existence of the Pawns and the King, the main drawbacks of chess have not been overcome completely, viz. slowness of the game, low mobility of pieces, and complexity of the game.
One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a simple as well as quick version of chess, wherein the essence of the strategic and tactical aspects of the game are preserved.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
The present invention is an easier variation of the chess game, wherein the modified game board with fewer playing pieces makes it possible for two players to enjoy a quick game, while appreciating the strategic and tactical aspects of chess.
In order to make the game simple and quick, the Pawns and Kings are eliminated completely in the preferred embodiment of the game. In chess, the Pawns are the least mobile pieces and further, they hamper the movement of other pieces. The King on the other hand is slow, needs to be protected at all times, and is, in a sense, a burden on the game.
The present invention makes use of special concepts such as Neutral and Safety zones, so as to stop the opposing pieces from attacking each other right from the start. In conventional chess, the Pawns provide a form of buffer.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a new playing piece called the Prince is used, as also some new rules for the Knight and Bishop moves in specially designated areas. The purpose here is to create more interest, and more options. However, in other embodiments of the invention, only normal chess pieces and moves are employed.
It is perhaps worth stating that neither this invention, nor other similar inventions, could be expected to replace the royal game of chess itself, which will continue to enthrall its fans for generations to come. However, it is hoped that some of the players who find an interest in chess through the present invention, will one day learn to enjoy the game of chess itself.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a game board layout used with this invention.
FIG. 2 shows the same game board with the initial position of the playing pieces used by each player, in the preferred embodiment of the game.
FIG. 3A shows one means of indicating a Rook, Bishop or Knight move for the playing piece called the Prince. FIG. 3B shows a partial cut-away section to further illustrate this piece.
FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 show examples of possible other embodiments of the game.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The invention will now be described in detail. Since this game is based on the concepts of conventional chess, obvious rules of chess applying to this invention are not described, except when required for clarity. The chess terminology used has the same or similar meaning as in conventional chess, unless otherwise stated.
The preferred embodiment of the invention will first be described wth the help of the drawings. Other possible embodimets are d
REFERENCES:
patent: 4256309 (1981-03-01), McQuillan
patent: 5421582 (1995-06-01), Ritter
patent: 5492332 (1996-02-01), Hessnice
patent: 5513849 (1996-05-01), Navin
Kamat Asha Balkrishna
Kamat Balkrishna Dattatray
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