Nu-chess

Abstract

This invention is a modified chess game which can be played by two individual players or two teams of players. The game apparatus consists of a modified chess board of 100 alternately light and dark squares and two 20-piece sets of respectively light and dark game pieces. Each set of game pieces includes the 16 game pieces contained in a set of conventional chess pieces, i.e., 1 King, 1 Queen, 2 Bishops, 2 Knights, 2 Rooks and 8 Pawns, plus 2 additional pawns and 2 embodiments of an innovative and novel game piece unique to the invention, game piece “X”. The game pieces are initially positioned in prescribed positions on the game board and subsequently moved pursuant to conventional and prescribed new movement capabilities and patterns unique to the invention. As in conventional chess, the contest is won by the party which captures and, thus, checkmates the opposing party's King.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

(Not/Applicable)

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(Not/Applicable)

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING

Compact Disc Appendix

(NOTE: Attendant figures for this invention are included and appear sequentially on pages 11 through 22 of this document.)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the field of chess games.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The conventional game of chess has been played and enjoyed for hundreds of years by two (2) opposing individual players using game apparatus that includes a game board composed of 64 alternately light and dark squares and two (2) 16-piece sets of respectively light and dark chess game pieces, with each player using one or the other of the game sets. It is a game of thought, concentration, strategy, skill and cunning. The game pieces are initially placed in specific positions on the game board then strategically moved in turn, one piece per move, by the players, pursuant to prescribed rules and patterns of directional geometric movement, to execute offensive and defensive maneuvers, all, with the purpose of winning the contest through the capture, thus, checkmate, of an opposing King game piece. This end is generally accomplished based upon the cunning, skill-levels and strategic experience of the two (2) opposing players. In these regards, the conventional chess game, and concomitantly the conventional chess game apparatus, respectively, is limited and accommodates the play of only two (2) individual players at one time, thereby leaving others interested in playing to either wait for an opportunity to play or relegated to the role of observers.

REFERENCES

440,737 11/1890 Burge . . . 273/131 K; 1,339,013 5/1920 Bennett . . . 273/131 AB; 2,133,515 10/1938 Horton . . . 273/131 K; 3,610,626 10/1971 Nolte . . . 273/131 AB; 4,093,237 6/1978 Weiss . . . 273/131

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention, NU-CHESS, is an adversary game board contest which relates to a modified conventional chess game where two (2) opposing parties are pitted against each other in a strategic contest. It has many similarities with the conventional chess game, but several major differences which make it more complicated, thus challenging, than the conventional chess game, but less complicated, thus more entertaining and enjoyable, than other more complicated modifications of the conventional chess game, such as the three dimensional (3-D) chess game and various other modified chess games with game apparatus which includes multi-level, multi-board and other non-geometrically square one level modified chess game boards.

Like chess, Nu-Chess is played by two opposing parties with game apparatus which includes a geometrically square one-level game board of alternately light and dark squares, where the board is correctly positioned for play when the left-corner square is dark and two (2) different sets of respectively light and dark game pieces are used by opposing parties to contend against each other by strategically moving the pieces, in turn, on the game board, one piece per move, pursuant to prescribed piece capabilities and rules of movement, to capture and, thereby, checkmate the opposing party's King game piece. Unlike Chess, which is played on a geometrically square game board of sixty-four (64) alternately light and dark squares by two (2) opposing individual players, each using either a light or dark set of sixteen (16) game pieces, this invention, NU-CHESS, is played by either two (2) opposing individual players or two (2) opposing teams of players with game apparatus that includes a modified geometrically square one-level game board of one-hundred (100) alternately light and dark squares and two (2) twenty (20) piece sets of respectively light and dark game pieces. (See FIGS. 1 through 12.)

With the described NU-CHESS game apparatus and prescribed game piece rules and movement capabilities, both the play of two (2) opposing individuals as well as the play of two (2) opposing teams of players is provided for, thus more people are allow to participate and enjoy in the playing of the game than in the playing of conventional chess.

Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which is more complicated and challenging than the conventional chess game, though less complicated and challenging than the 3-dimensional chess game and other more complicated chess game modifications, to accommodate the play of either two (2) individual players or two (2) teams of players.

Another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which incorporates all the interest of a conventional chess game but which provides a more challenging, exciting, enjoyable and entertaining chess experience.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which requires increased thinking and playing skills.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which is played with a twenty (20) game piece per set mixture of game pieces, which includes 16 conventional chess game pieces, augmented with two (2) additional Pawn game pieces and two (2) embodiments of an innovative and novel game piece, yet to be entitled but referred to herein as game piece “X”, with a unique movement pattern and prescribed piece capabilities.

A further object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which utilizes an expanded chess board to facilitate the participation of either two (2) players or two (2) teams of players.

Another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game in which strategic game maneuvers may be conceptualize and implemented on the game board by the playing parties.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which may be played by two (2) individual players or two (2) teams of players with conventional chess pieces that move as in conventional chess, with the exception of the Pawns, which has retained conventional movement capabilities enhanced with innovative movement options, and a new game piece, game piece “X”, which moves in a novel and innovative way unique to the invention.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which provides as an optional rule of play the optional use by players of two (2) or more pieces to team-attack, that is to simultaneously place the opposing King-piece in check, that is, double-check, in order for the King-piece to be checkmated; with the exception of the Queen-piece, which may single-handedly, or unassisted, checkmate a King-piece.

A further object of this invention is to provide a modified chess game which is more, exciting, complicated, challenging and entertaining than conventional chess.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the detailed description that follows in relations to the accompanying Figures.

DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS WITH DESCRIPTIVE EXPLANATIONS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a modified chess board in accordance with the invention. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 1, the NU-CHESS Game Board is composed of 100 alternately light and dark squares. As illustrated, it has 10 alphabetically identified files and 10 numerically identified ranks of, respectively, vertical columns and horizontal rows of squares.]

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a legend graphic of alphabetic representations used in diagrams 3 through 12 to represent game pieces in accordance with the invention. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 2, Nu-Chess Game Board pieces consist of the conventional chess king, queen, bishop, knight, rook and pawn and the new and unique game piece “X”. As illustrated, the pieces are represented by the alphabetic figures Kg, Q, X, B, K, R and P, with crossed-bars X representing piece capture, lines and dotted lines representing lines of movement and oval-ended lines representing movement pattern end-squares.]

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the modified chess board and the placement of game pieces in their prescribed initial positions. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 3, each player or team of players sets up their sets of game pieces in a specific pattern on their first and second ranks; this pattern is referred to as the “initial position”. As illustrated, the Queens and Kings are positioned in the middle of the Board, respectively, (viewing the Board from the dark-piece side) on Squares E1 and F1, in the instance of dark, and on E10 and F10, in the instance of light. The dark Queen is initially positioned on a dark square and the light Queen is positioned on a light square opposite the dark Queen; the dark King is positioned to the dark Queen's right, and vice-versa in the instance of the light King.). The embodiments of the new and unique game piece, game piece “X”, are positioned next to the Queen and King, respectively, on D1 and G1 and D10 and G10. The Bishops are positioned next to the game piece “X” embodiment pieces, respectively, on C1 and H1 and C10 and H10. The Knights are positioned next to the embodiments of game piece “X”, respectively, on B1 and I1 and B10 and I10. The Rooks are positioned next to the Knights, respectively, on the corner squares, A1 and J1 and A10 and J10. Lastly, the Pawns are positioned on the second and ninth ranks, by perspective, in front of each of the other game pieces.]

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the optional initial movement and capture capabilities of the Pawn on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 4, the dark Pawn on C2 (enjoying the “initial option”, where it is allowed to advance either one, two or three squares) may be moved forward to occupy either C3, C4 or C5. If moved to C5, the offense of “passing” would be committed and the opposing party would enjoy the option of commanding the Pawn back to C4, i.e., the passed square, by expressing the phrase “non passant”. The dark Pawn on F4 (enjoying the “retreat” option) may be moved either forward to F5 or backward to F3. If it advances to F5, it attacks the opposing light Bishop on E6. Should the opposing Bishop fail to eliminate the Pawn or to move away from its attack to a safe square, the Pawn may capture the Bishop on its playing party's next move. The dark Pawn on I6 (having been moved to its sixth rank and, therefore, no longer enjoying the “advance-retreat” option) may only be moved to advance forward to I7. As illustrated, the Pawn may be moved vertically one square per move unless eliminating an opposing piece (when it moves forward diagonally to either square adjacent to its own) its movement is restricted by the presence of a friendly or opposing piece occupying a square on its line of movement (for it may not cross or jump over a piece); it must stop on a square immediately in front of an occupied square on its line of movement, whether the square is occupied by a friendly or opposing piece.]

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the optional advance/retreat, capture and promotion movement capabilities of the Pawn on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As illustrated in FIG. 5, the dark Pawn on B5 may only retreat to B4; it may not advance to B6 because B6 is occupied by an opposing piece. The dark Pawn on E5 can only advance to either D6 or E6; in that, even though it has not advanced to the sixth rank and therefore still enjoys the advance/retreat option, it may not retreat as E4 is occupied by a friendly piece and may only advance to either capture the opposing light Pawn on D6 or occupy the vacant square E6. It may not advance forward diagonally to occupy the vacant square F6. The dark Pawn on G6 may only advance to G7 or H7, in that, having attained the sixth rank, it no longer enjoys the retreat option and may only advance vertically to occupy the vacant square G7 or diagonally to capture the opposing light Pawn on H7. Similarly, the dark Pawn on I9 may only advance vertically to occupy the vacant square I10 or diagonally to capture the light Rook on J10. In either case, immediately upon moving to either I10 or J10, the dark Pawn on I9 may exercise the promotion capability of duplicating any other friendly piece, with the exception of the King at the choice of its player or team of players.]

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the novel and unique movement and capture capabilities of game piece “X” on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 6, Game Piece “X” moves diagonally two squares from an occupied square (i.e., in the shown instance, F5) in any diagonal line of direction and one square at a right-angle in either diagonal direction perpendicular to a given diagonal line of movement. By perspective, it may be considered that game piece “X” may be moved three squares in either a vertical or horizontal direction and one square at a right-angle in either a vertical or horizontal line of direction perpendicular to a given vertical or horizontal line of movement (as shown by the dotted line patterns). In moving, it may be moved to jump or pass over any friendly or opposing piece occupying a square on its line of movement. It is restricted from landing on a square at the end of its movement pattern occupied by a friendly piece. As illustrated, Game Piece “X” may be moved to occupy either of the squares C4, C6, E2, E8, G2, G8, I4 or I6. It is capable of capturing any single opposing game piece occupying any square at the end of its movement pattern. Hence, were any opposing game piece to occupy any of the squares cited, it could capture the piece if moved to occupy either of the cited squares. The exception to this provision would be where by the playing parties agreement the team-attack option would be exercised requiring Game Piece “X”, minimally, to team with another friendly piece to capture an opposing King game piece.]

FIG. 7 is a plan view of the single-handed attack checkmate movement capability of the Queen on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 7, the dark Queen on B4 has placed the light King on F8 in check. As illustrated, the light King may neither escape the attack, block the attack with a friendly piece nor eliminate the attacking dark Queen. It may not escape for there is no safe square to which it may move. It is prevented from moving to either E9 which is occupied by the light Knight, a friendly piece. It is prevented from moving to either E8 or F9 which are under attack by the dark Pawns on F7 and G8. Similarly, it is prevented from moving to either F7, G7 or G8 and capturing the opposing dark pieces occupying those squares, as the occupying dark pieces are protected by other dark pieces, that is, the dark Pawns on E6 and F7 and the dark Bishop on D4. And it's moving to G9, which is unoccupied, would be futile in that it would not remove the King from the dark Queen's attack. Therefore, the King is captured by the dark Queen and, thus, single-handedly checkmated by same.]

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the team-attack checkmate movement capabilities of the Pawn and Bishop on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 8, by moving from D1 to H5, the dark Bishop places the light Eternal on C10, of which is already in check by the dark Pawn on B9, in check; thereby, effectively placing the light King in double-check, as a result of the team-attack of the dark Pawn and Bishop. As illustrated, the light King can neither escape the team-attack by moving out of the check of one of the attacking dark pieces nor by blocking the check of one of the attacking pieces. Additionally, it can not capture the dark Pawn on C9, and thereby escape the attack of both pieces, as the Pawn is protected by the dark game piece “X” on D6. The light King is, therefore, captured, that is, checkmated, and dark wins the contest.]

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the team-attack checkmate movement capabilities of the Rook and Knight on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 9, the dark Rook on B3 may be moved to B10 to place the light King on F10 (of which is already in check by the dark Knight on H8) in check; thereby, effectively placing the King in double-check, as a result of the team-attack of the dark Rook and Knight. As illustrated, the light King can neither escape nor block either of the attacks, nor can it capture either of the attacking pieces. Therefore, it is captured, thus, checkmated, and dark wins the contest.]

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the team-attack checkmate movement capabilities of the game piece “X” and Bishop on the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 10, the dark Bishop on G1 may be moved to D4 to place the light King on H8 in “seven”, (of which is already in check by the dark game piece “X” on 15) in check; thereby, effectively placing the King in double-check, as a result of the team-attack of the dark game piece “X” and Bishop. As illustrated, the light King can neither escape nor block either of the attacks, nor can it capture either of the attacking pieces, and the vacant squares H9 and I8 are under attack, respectively, by the dark Queen on C4 and the dark Pawn on H7. The King is therefore captured, thus, checkmated, and dark wins the contest.]

FIG. 11 is a plan view of the castling movement capabilities of the King and Rook on the King and Queen sides of the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 11, Diagrams 1 through 3, and similar to the King castling move in Chess, a King game piece may castle with either the Rook positioned to its left. on the Queen's side of the Board, or to its right, on the King-side of the Board. As illustrated by Diagram 2, when “cloaking” to the Queen-side of the Game Board, the King is placed three (3) squares to the left of its initial position on C1, and the Rook (that is, the Rook initially positioned to the left of the King on A!) is placed three (3) squares to the right of its initial position (on the opposite side of the King on D1. As illustrated by Diagram 3, when “cloaking” to the King-side of the Game Board, the King is placed two (2) squares to the right of its initial position on H1, and the Rook (that is, the Rook initially positioned to the right of the King on J!) is placed three (3) squares to the left of its initial position (on the opposite side of the King on G1.]

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the non-castling movement restrictions of the King and Rook on the King and Queen sides of the modified chess board. [NOTE: As shown in FIG. 12, the light King on F10 may only castle with the light Rook (that is, the Queen-Rook) on A10; it may not castle with the light Rook (that is, the King-Rook) on J10, due to the light Bishop occupying H10, thus obstructing the castling movement, in that the castling pieces may not pass or jump over either a friendly or opposing piece occupying a square on their line of movement. In contrast, the dark King on F1 may not castle at all. As illustrated, the dark King on F1 may not castle with either the Queen-side Rook on B1 or the King-side Rook on J1. Additionally, the King is in check by the light Knight on D2, thus unable to castle in either direction unless it moves out of check. Further, it would not be able to castle with the Rook on B1, in that this Rook has obviously been previously moved from its initial position, an allowed castling position on A1, to the non-allowed castling position on B1. Even more, it would not be able to castle with the dark Rook on J1, in that it G1 is under the attack of the light Knight on D2 and the castling King can not pass or jump over a square under attack by an opposing piece.]

(NOTE: See twelve (12) drawings above-referenced on pages 24 through 34 of this document.)

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In advance of the following provision of a detailed description of the subject invention, it is to be understood that since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways, the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction nor the arrangement of parts illustrated in the foregoing and accompanying Figures. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology used herein is for the sole purpose of description and not of limitation.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals or letters refer to like and corresponding parts throughout the several views, the preferred embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 1-12 inclusive, includes a Nu-Chess game board, that is, a modified conventional chess game board, with a playing surface of 100 alternately light and dark squares, ten (10) rows or ranks by ten (10) columns or files (see FIG. 1), two (2) 20-piece sets of respectively light and dark game pieces (see FIGS. 2 and 3) and prescribed game piece capabilities and specific movement descriptions and illustrations (see FIGS. 4 through 12).

Each 20-piece set of game pieces includes 16 conventional chess pieces, consisting of 10 pawns, 2 knights, 2 bishops, 2 rooks, 1 queen and 1 king, plus 2 embodiments of the new and unique NU-CHESS game piece, Game Piece “X”. The sets are respectively light and dark and correspond to the light and dark squares of the modified game board. The pieces are initially positioned on the playing parties' first two ranks, with the ten pawns positioned parallel to each other on the ten squares of the second rank and the remaining pieces positioned on the ten squares of the first rank from left to right as illustrated in the following table (Again, see FIG. 3).

2nd	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn	Pawn
RANK
1st	Rook	Knight	Bishop	Game-	Queen	King	Game-	Bishop	Knight	Rook
RANK				piece			piece
				“X”			“X”

In NU-CHESS, each of the conventional chess pieces, with the exception of the Pawn, are moved as in conventional chess.

Additionally, in Nu-Chess, the Pawn retains its conventional movement capabilities but is enhanced with two (2) optional movement capabilities: (1) On its initial move, it may be moved vertically forward on the game board one, two or three squares, unless capturing an opposing piece, in which case, as in chess, it may be moved forward one (1) square diagonally to either the adjacent left or right square to capture an opposing piece and assume the captured piece's position on the adjacent diagonal square; after which, it may only be moved vertically one square per move unless, again, capturing an opposing piece. (2) On subsequent moves, the Pawn may be moved vertically to advance or retreat one square per move while moving on squares positioned between its second (2^nd) and fifth (5^th) ranks; it may not be moved to retreat below the second rank and may not be moved to retreat at all once it is moved beyond the fifth rank, at which time, i.e., upon attaining the 6^th rank, it loses the retreat ability and may then only be moved to advance forward. Additionally, the Pawn may be moved (barring its capture) to advance as far as to its tenth rank (that is, to the first rank of the opposing party), where immediately upon reaching this rank it may be promoted, as in conventional chess, to duplicate any friendly piece that its player or team of players desire; a party may in this way regain an eliminated piece or add a duplicate of any piece (including an additional Queen) of an individual player's or team of players' choice. (NOTE: If a Pawn commits the offense of passing without challenging an opposing Pawn, it may be commanded to the passed square by the opposing party calling “non passant” (F.) or “no passing” (E.).) (Again, see FIGS. 4 and 5.)

The game piece previously and here now referred to as Game Piece “X” is an innovative and novel game piece. It has no counterpart among the conventional chess pieces. It is unique to Nu-Chess. Its movement is similar to the movement of the Chess Knight; uniquely, however, the Game Piece “X” may be moved from an occupied square diagonally two squares in one direction and one square at a right-angle to either side of its line of direction. Similar to the Chess Knight, the Game Piece “X” may pass or jump over either a friendly or opposing piece occupying a square on its line of movement; it may not capture any opposing piece over which it jumps; it may only capture opposing pieces occupying the squares at the end of its movement pattern; it may not move to an end-square that is occupied by a friendly piece. (Again, see FIGS. 6, 8 and 10.)

The object of the game is for one playing party to checkmate the King of their opponent by capturing it and the game is won by the party that does so. A drawn game results when any of the following conditions occurs: (1) Neither party can checkmate the other. (2) The parties agree to end the contest. (3) A position is repeated three times, by the same party moving each time. A party may resign his King-piece at any time provided the King is not in check. By agreement, playing parties may exercise the provision of using the team-attack King capture/checkmate option which allows only the Queen game piece to single-handedly capture, thus checkmate, an opposing King game piece and requires the use of two (2) or more pieces in all instances to team-attack and capture, thus checkmate, an opposing King game piece. (Again, see FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10.) (NOTE: In maneuvering to defend against possible attack, the “castling” capability of the conventional chess King and Rook game pieces are retained by the King and Rook game pieces in NU-CHESS. Again, see FIGS. 11 and 12.)

By agreement, playing parties may exercise the provision of using a fixed time option, for example of two (2) or three (3) minutes, for each move to speed up the playing of contests. When playing with this provision, a party which fails to move within the fixed time limit must remove a piece of their choice from the game board.

A comparative defining statement of the NU-CHESS relationship to the conventional game of chess is that, NU-CHESS is to Chess what tennis is to ping-pong—that is, it is similar in many ways yet it boasts several major differences, of which, in the instance of Chess and NU_CHESS, serves to differentiate the two and set them apart as two related, but different adversary game board contests.

Similarly, NU-CHESS and conventional Chess, both, are played by opposing parties on game boards of alternatively light and dark squares with game pieces. The pieces have specific and particular movement patterns. They are strategically moved in a coordinated fashion on the game boards to perform offensive and defensive maneuvers. And the contests are determined and won or lost based upon the parties' intellectual skill and ability, or lack thereof, to devise and implement such maneuvers in accordance with the rules of the contests.

However, there are other several fundamental differences which differentiate Nu-Chess from conventional Chess—as hereby enumerated:

• • 1. NU-CHESS provides for both the play of two (2) individuals or team-play by two opposing teams composed of two (2) or more playing individuals and conventional Chess does not.
  • 2. NU-CHESS provides for the playing party with dark pieces to initiate play by moving first.
  • 3. NU-CHESS provides for play with a total of forty (40) game pieces, whereas conventional Chess is played with a total of thirty-two (32), respectively, with each opposing side having twenty (20) and/or as opposed to sixteen (16) game pieces.
  • 4. NU-CHESS provides for play on a modified conventional chess game board of one-hundred (100) alternately light and dark squares, whereas conventional Chess is played on a chess game board of sixty-four (64) alternately light and dark squares.
  • 5. NU-CHESS provides a novel and original game piece, game piece “X”, unique to Nu-CHESS with no conventional Chess counterpart.
  • 6. NU-CHESS provides playing parties a team-attack option of electing to play with the Queen game piece being the only game piece capable of single-handedly capturing and, thus, checkmating an opposing King, with all other pieces being required, minimally, to double with another piece to capture and, thus, checkmate an opposing King, whereas in Chess no such option is provided and any game piece is capable of single-handedly capturing and, thus, checkmating an opposing King.
  • 7. The NU-CHESS Pawn game piece possess several optional movement capabilities which the conventional Chess Pawn does not—specifically:
    • a. It has the option on its initial move of advancing one, two or three squares; whereas the Chess Pawn has the option of advancing either one or two squares on its initial move.
    • b. It has the option of either advancing or retreating one square per move after its initial move when moved between its second (2^d) and fifth (5^th) ranks; whereas the Chess Pawn does not enjoy such an option and can only advance.
    • c. It has the promotion option of duplicating any Nu-Chess game piece, including the King upon attaining a square positioned on its tenth (10^th) rank, whereas, the Chess Pawn can duplicate any Chess game piece, with the exception of the Chess King.
  • 8. Lastly, the NU-CHESS Pawn, if passing an opposing Pawn may be commanded to the passed square by the opposing party expressing the term “non-passant (F.)”, or “no passing (E.)”, whereas in conventional Chess, a “passing” Pawn can only be captured or ignored for there is no provision in conventional Chess for a passing Pawn to be commanded to the passed square.

This invention is a modified chess game which can be played by two (2) individual players or two (2) teams of players. It is a game which is like conventional chess, but more complicated, challenging and entertaining. Notwithstanding the instant presentment of a single embodiment of the invention as has been herein described and disclosed, the obvious is that many changes may be made in the size, shape, arrangements, color and detail of the various elements of the invention without departing from the scope of its novel and unique concepts.

Claims

1. A modified chess game as herein described comprising a geometrically square game board with 100 alternately light and dark squares and two (2) 20-piece sets of respectively light and dark game pieces with prescribed conventional, novel and unique capabilities and rules of piece positioning and movement.

2. The modified chess game of claim 1, wherein as described herein the conventional King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook and Pawn chess pieces have prescribed game board positions and retain conventional movement patterns and capabilities.

3. The modified chess game of claim 2, wherein as described herein the number of conventional chess Pawn pieces per set are increased by two (2) from eight (8) Pawn pieces to ten (10) Pawn pieces.

4. The modified chess game of claim 3, wherein as described herein the movement capabilities of the conventional chess Pawn pieces are enhanced to include an initial movement option of one (1), two (2) or three (3) squares and an advance-retreat movement option when moved between the second (2nd) and fifth (5th) ranks.

5. The modified chess game of claim 4, wherein as described herein the movement capabilities of the conventional chess Pawn pieces are enhanced to include a “passing” command provision whereby a “passing” may be commanded to the passed square by an opposing party expressing the term “non-passant (F.)”, or “no passing (E.)”, whereas in conventional Chess, a “passing” Pawn can only be captured or ignored for there is no provision in conventional Chess for a passing Pawn to be commanded to the passed square.

6. The modified chess game of claim 5, wherein as described herein the conventional King, Queen, Bishop, Knight, Rook and Pawn chess pieces are augmented with a novel and unique game piece, Game Piece “X”, with as described herein prescribed game board positions and unique movement pattern and capabilities.

7. The modified chess game of claim 6, wherein as described herein the number of conventional chess pieces per set are augmented with two (2) embodiments of the novel and unique Game piece “X”.

8. The modified chess game of claim 7, wherein as described herein the movement capabilities of the novel and unique Game Piece “X” consists of the prescribed ability to move diagonally two squares in any chosen direction and one square at a right-angle in either direction from the line of movement; or by perspective, three (3) squares in either a vertical or horizontal direction and one square at a right-angle in either direction from the line of movement and the abilities to pass or jump over other pieces and capture opposing pieces.

9. The modified chess game of claim 8, wherein as described herein contesting parties may elect to play using a team-attack option with the ability of a game piece to single-handedly checkmate an opposing King piece being limited to the Queen and all other game pieces being required to team-attack an opposing King piece to checkmate it.

10. The modified chess game of claim 9, wherein as hereby described the light and dark squares and corresponding sets of game pieces, respectively, are white and royal blue or black or, alternately, any other light and dark color combination.