BOARD GAME AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE GAME

Abstract

A board game and method of implementing the game comprise displaying a squared oblong rectangular game board comprising a width comprising at least eight squares. A set of chess type game pieces on the game board are displayed. The chess type game pieces represent at least a standard set of black and white chess pieces. The chess type game pieces are initially arranged for beginning play by placement of black pieces in an order comprising a standard chess order at a first end of the game board with white pieces being placed at an opposing second end of the game board in an order comprising a the chess standard order. Game play is enabled by one or more users following at least a standard set of chess rules.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

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

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the invention generally relate to games. More particularly, the invention relates to a game based on a chess board.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The following background information may present examples of specific aspects of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common wisdom) that, while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional aspects of the prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any embodiments thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon. It is believed that chess and checkers are played by countless people worldwide. Chess and checkers are generally played by two-players on a square game board with 64 squares of alternating colors arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. This board may be referred to as a squared square rectangle, a square rectangle that is tiled with squares. In a typical game of chess, each player begins with sixteen pieces, a king, a queen, two rooks, two knights, two bishops, and eight pawns. The different types of pieces in a traditional game of chess have different ways in which they may be moved. For example, without limitation, bishops may only move diagonally, rooks may move horizontally or vertically, queens may move horizontally, vertically or diagonally, kings may move one square in any direction, knights typically move in an L-shape and can jump over other pieces, and pawns may move forward one square or diagonal one square to capture an opponent's piece. In addition to these standard moves, there are some special moves that may be used in some instances such as, but not limited to, castling or moving a pawn two squares forward as a first move. In typical game play, users move their pieces strategically in an attempt to capture their opponents' pieces and to trap an opponent's king in a location in which any move leads to capture, which is often referred to as “checkmate”. The game may also be won by voluntary resignation of an opponent, and some games may result in a draw. In 1950, Claude Shannon estimated a lower bound on a game-tree complexity of chess (variations from an initial position) to be 10¹²⁰, known as the Shannon Number.

In view of the foregoing, it is clear that these traditional techniques are not perfect and leave room for more optimal approaches.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on an eight by twelve game board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on a twelve by eight game board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on a twelve by eight game board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a typical computer system that, when appropriately configured or designed, can serve as a computer system in which the invention may be embodied.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. Similarly, for another example, a reference to “a step” or “a means” is a reference to one or more steps or means and may include sub-steps and subservient means. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Preferred methods, techniques, devices, and materials are described, although any methods, techniques, devices, or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may be used in the practice or testing of the present invention. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

From reading the present disclosure, other variations and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such variations and modifications may involve equivalent and other features which are already known in the art, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.

Although Claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any Claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The Applicants hereby give notice that new Claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “various embodiments,” etc., may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” or “in an exemplary embodiment,” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may.

Headings provided herein are for convenience and are not to be taken as limiting the disclosure in any way.

The enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “a”, “an” and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

Devices that are in communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices that are in communication with each other may communicate directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries.

A description of an embodiment with several components in communication with each other does not imply that all such components are required. On the contrary a variety of optional components are described to illustrate the wide variety of possible embodiments of the present invention.

As is well known to those skilled in the art many careful considerations and compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal manufacture of a commercial implementation any system, and in particular, the embodiments of the present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit and teachings of the present invention may configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a game comprising a rectangular chess board with eight columns and twelve rows or twelve rows and eight columns. This board may be referred to as a squared oblong rectangle, a non-square rectangle that is tiled with squares. In some embodiments, chess pieces may be used with such a rectangular board to potentially create a new chess game experience as this bigger board may introduce numerous additional moves and possibilities to bring new dynamics to the game. In some embodiments, chess pieces may be placed in various different starting points than in a traditional chess game and various different numbers and combinations of pieces may be used to create new chess-game based games. For example, without limitation, some embodiments may allow for new openings, including, but not limited to, the ability for pieces to move backwards as an opening move. One will readily recognize that embodiments of the present invention provide for a greater game-tree complexity than that of a traditional chess game, certainly significantly greater than the Shannon Number. Some embodiments may be implemented for play on electronic devices such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computers, laptop computers, portable electronic game devices, desktop computers, video game consoles, etc. Some alternate embodiments may be implemented for one player playing against a computer-implemented application. In other alternate embodiments, a computer-implemented application may enable multiple players playing one on one, one on many, or other combinations. In some other alternate embodiments, a computer-implemented application may enable a tournament style of play. Other embodiments may be implemented as internet based applications or as physical board games.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on an eight by twelve game board 101, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, game board 101 is orientated vertically and sixteen standard chess pieces 103 are placed in a starting position that leaves an empty row 105 behind pieces 103. This may enable a player to move pieces 103 backward at the beginning of the game, which has the potential to add another dimension to the game. For example, without limitation, by moving a king 107, queen 109, rook 111, bishop 113, or knight 115 backward at the start of the game, these pieces may then be used to develop into plays that may not be possible in a traditional chess game. Furthermore, when game board 101 is oriented vertically, it typically requires more moves for a pawn 117 to travel from one side of game board 101 to the other side. For example, without limitation, when pieces 103 are set up with empty rows 105 at each side, pawns generally must travel nine squares to reach the other side of game board 101 verses six squares on a traditional chess board. Therefore, in the present embodiment it may require a minimum of two moves before a pawn is positioned to attack another pawn rather than one move as with a conventional chess game. It is believed that the proximity of the “armies” of chess pieces 103 can greatly affect a chess game. For example, without limitation, playing a game in which opposing pieces are one square away from each other rather than six squares away can make a big difference in strategy and game play. It is contemplated that chess pieces in some applications may be positioned in various different starting positions; for example, without limitation, the starting position may leave two empty rows at each end or may leave no empty rows behind the pieces. In addition, in some applications more, fewer or different combinations of pieces may be used. For example, without limitation, in one alternate application using eight by twelve vertical game board 101, a row of pieces comprising a king, a queen, bishops, knights, and rooks may be placed at each end of game board 101 with no empty row behind and two rows of pawns may be placed in front of each of these rows of pieces.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on a twelve by eight game board 201, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, game board 201 is oriented horizontally with a standard number and configuration of chess pieces 203 placed so that there are two open columns 205 on either side of rooks 207. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that in some applications, more, fewer or, different combinations and configurations of pieces may be used on horizontal game board 201, for example, without limitation, as in the game illustrated by way of example in FIG. 3. In typical use of the present embodiment, players may be able to make various different moves that are often unique to this particular game design. For example, without limitation, one rook 207 can be positioned to attack an opponent's rook 207 in two moves by moving all the way to the right or left edge of game board 201 in one move and then all the way across game board 201 to the opponent's side in a second move. From this position, the player may be able to attack the opponent's rook. Similarly, a queen 209 can be positioned to attack a rook 207 directly in two moves. To do so, a pawn 211 located in a square that is diagonal to queen 209 is moved one or two squares forward. Then, queen 209 can be moved diagonally to the edge of game board 201 where queen 209 is typically positioned to attack the rook 207 on that side of the board directly.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic top view of an exemplary chess game being played on a twelve by eight game board 301, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, game board 301 is oriented horizontally and comprises twenty four pieces 303 on each side rather than sixteen pieces, which is typical for a traditional chess game. The combination of chess pieces 303 is also different with three rooks 305, three bishops 307, three knights 309, twelve pawns 311, two queens 313 and one king 315. It is contemplated that some embodiments may be implemented with a multiplicity of suitable numbers, combinations, and configurations of pieces; for example, without limitation, one embodiment may comprise four rooks on each side with two rooks in each corner of the game board, four bishops, two knights, one queen, and one king. In the present embodiment, the larger game board 301 and additional pieces 303 may provide the potential for some unique moves such as, but not limited to, attacking the other side of game board 301 in one move by moving a pawn 311 that is located diagonally in front of a queen 313 or a bishop 307. This typically opens a direct attack to the pawns 311, or in some cases other pieces, of the opponent. In the present embodiment, game board 301 is only increased in one direction. Therefore, the scaling factor differs for queen 313 as opposed to the other pieces for this configuration of game board 301 and chess pieces 303. In this non-limiting example, the queens have a scaling factor of 2, the king has a scaling factor of 1, and the knights, bishops, rooks and pawns have a scaling factor of 1.5

FIG. 4 illustrates a typical computer system that, when appropriately configured or designed, can serve as a computer system in which the invention may be embodied. The computer system 400 includes any number of processors 402 (also referred to as central processing units, or CPUs) that are coupled to storage devices including primary storage 406 (typically a random access memory, or RAM), primary storage 404 (typically a read only memory, or ROM). CPU 402 may be of various types including microcontrollers (e.g., with embedded RAM/ROM) and microprocessors such as programmable devices (e.g., RISC or SISC based, or CPLDs and FPGAs) and unprogrammable devices such as gate array ASICs or general purpose microprocessors. As is well known in the art, primary storage 404 acts to transfer data and instructions uni-directionally to the CPU and primary storage 406 is used typically to transfer data and instructions in a bi-directional manner. Both of these primary storage devices may include any suitable computer-readable media such as those described above. A mass storage device 408 may also be coupled bi-directionally to CPU 402 and provides additional data storage capacity and may include any of the computer-readable media described above. Mass storage device 408 may be used to store programs, data and the like and is typically a secondary storage medium such as a hard disk. It will be appreciated that the information retained within the mass storage device 408, may, in appropriate cases, be incorporated in standard fashion as part of primary storage 406 as virtual memory. A specific mass storage device such as a CD-ROM 414 may also pass data uni-directionally to the CPU.

CPU 402 may also be coupled to an interface 410 that connects to one or more input/output devices such as such as video monitors, track balls, mice, keyboards, microphones, touch-sensitive displays, transducer card readers, magnetic or paper tape readers, tablets, styluses, voice or handwriting recognizers, or other well-known input devices such as, of course, other computers. Finally, CPU 402 optionally may be coupled to an external device such as a database or a computer or telecommunications or internet network using an external connection as shown generally at 412, which may be implemented as a hardwired or wireless communications link using suitable conventional technologies. With such a connection, it is contemplated that the CPU might receive information from the network, or might output information to the network in the course of performing the method steps described in the teachings of the present invention.

It is contemplated that the combination of any of the game factors described in the foregoing, including, without limitation, changes in board size and orientation and changes in the number and configuration of pieces, may be implemented in some embodiments to create new opening moves and game play options that may not be possible in a traditional chess game. Moreover, due to the increased size of the board in many embodiments, the number of different and total possible moves is typically increased. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that a multiplicity of suitable board sizes and virtually any combination and number of pieces or starting configurations may be used in some embodiments. For example, without limitation, one embodiment by comprise all pawns, and another embodiment may comprise all queens at the start of the game. Furthermore, some embodiments may be implemented with various different features such as, but not limited to, new pieces with different available moves, variations on traditional rules, additional special moves, etc. In addition, some embodiments may be implemented as applications for mobile devices such as, but not limited to, mobile phones, tablet computers, or portable gaming devices, other embodiments may be implemented as internet based games or as software that may be installed on a laptop or desktop computer, and yet other embodiments may be implemented as a conventional physical game board.

Those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of and in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, that any of the foregoing steps may be suitably replaced, reordered, removed and additional steps may be inserted depending upon the needs of the particular application. Moreover, the prescribed method steps of the foregoing embodiments may be implemented using any physical and/or hardware system that those skilled in the art will readily know is suitable in light of the foregoing teachings. For any method steps described in the present application that can be carried out on a computing machine, a typical computer system can, when appropriately configured or designed, serve as a computer system in which those aspects of the invention may be embodied.

All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a game based on a chess board according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Various aspects of the invention have been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. The particular implementation of the game based on a chess board may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the games based on a chess board described in the foregoing were principally directed to implementations involving chess pieces; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to games using various different types of game pieces such as, but not limited to checkers, which implementations of the present invention are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims. It is to be further understood that not all of the disclosed embodiments in the foregoing specification will necessarily satisfy or achieve each of the objects, advantages, or improvements described in the foregoing specification.

Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.

The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. Section 1.72(b) requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit or interpret the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for a game comprising the steps of:

displaying a squared oblong rectangular game board comprising a width comprising at least eight squares;

displaying a set of chess type game pieces on said game board, said chess type game pieces representing at least a standard set of black and white chess pieces, said chess type game pieces being initially arranged for beginning play by placement of black pieces in an order comprising a standard chess order at a first end of said game board with white pieces being placed at an opposing second end of said game board in an order comprising a said chess standard order; and

enabling game play by one or more users following at least a standard set of chess rules.

2. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, in which said first end is along said width of said game board.

3. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 2, in which said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with at least one open row behind said ordered pieces.

4. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 3, in which said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open row.

5. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, in which said first end is along a length of said game board.

6. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, in which said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with at least one open column beside said ordered pieces.

7. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 6, in which said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open column.

8. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 5, in which said orders further comprise additional chess type game pieces for placement in adjacent squares of said at least one open column.

9. The computer-implemented method as recited in claim 1, in which said game board further comprises a length comprising at least twelve squares.

10. A game comprising:

a squared oblong rectangular game board comprising a width comprising at least eight squares and a length comprising at least twelve squares; and

a set of game pieces for placement on said game board comprising at least a standard chess set of black and white chess pieces, said game pieces being operable for initial arrangement for beginning play by placement of black pieces in an order comprising a standard chess order at a first end of said game board with white pieces being placed at an opposing second end of said game board in an order comprising a said standard chess order where game play is enabled by players following at least a standard set of chess rules.

11. The game as recited in claim 10, in which said first end is along said width of said game board, said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with at least one open row behind said ordered pieces, and said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open row.

12. The game as recited in claim 10, in which said first end is along a length of said game board, said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with open columns beside said ordered pieces, and said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open column.

13. The game as recited in claim 12, in which said orders further comprise additional chess type game pieces for placement in adjacent squares of said at least one open column.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium with an executable program stored thereon, wherein the program instructs a processor to perform the following steps:

displaying a squared oblong rectangular game board comprising a width comprising at least eight squares;

displaying a set of chess type game pieces on said game board, said chess type game pieces representing at least a standard set of black and white chess pieces, said chess type game pieces being initially arranged for beginning play by placement of black pieces in an order comprising a standard chess order at a first end of said game board with white pieces being placed at an opposing second end of said game board in an order comprising a said chess standard order; and

enabling game play by one or more users following at least a standard set of chess rules.

15. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 14, in which said first end is along said width of said game board.

16. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 15, in which said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with at least one open row behind said ordered pieces and which said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open row.

17. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 14, in which said first end is along a length of said game board.

18. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 17, in which said black pieces and said white pieces are initially arranged with at least one open column beside said ordered pieces and said chess rules further comprise movement of pieces into said at least one open column.

19. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 18, in which said orders further comprise additional chess type game pieces for placement in adjacent squares of said at least one open column.

20. The program instructing the processor as recited in claim 14, in which said game board further comprises a length comprising at least twelve squares.