STRATEGY GAME

Abstract

A strategy game, such as chess, that incorporates a theme from a combat sport, such as boxing, into a plurality of playing pieces and a game board. The game board is configured to replicate an arena or ring utilized in the combat sport. The game board incorporates indicia commonly seen at combat sports, or for advertising or promotional purposes. A king and queen playing piece resemble laced up gloves. A knight resembles a boxer with a pair of boxing gloves having an emblem, such as a national flag. A pawn playing piece resembles a clenched fist. A bishop playing piece resembles an emblem, such as a national flag. Each playing piece has at least one movement pattern, such as a linear movement pattern, an L-shaped movement pattern, and a diagonal movement pattern. The flag emblems represent twelve countries having interest in boxing.

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 strategy games. More particularly, the invention relates to a combat sport themed strategy game.

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.

The following is an example of a specific aspect in the prior art 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. By way of educational background, another aspect of the prior art generally useful to be aware of is that a game board is a game that involves counters or pieces moved or placed on a pre-marked surface or board, according to a set of rules. Games can be based on pure strategy, chance, e.g. rolling dice, or a mixture of the two, and usually have a goal that a player aims to achieve. Most current game boards are based on defeating opposing players in terms of counters, winning position, or accrual of points.

Typically, game boards involve both luck and strategy. But an important feature of them is the amount of randomness or luck involved, as opposed to skill. Some games, such as chess, depend almost entirely on player skill.

In many instances, a strategy game is a game in which the player's decision making determines influences the outcome significantly. They are usually game boards, computer or video games, card games, or another type of game. Several games include strategy extensively, while others to a lesser degree, complicating demarcation. Players have similar starting positions or situations, but use strategy to gain advantages over others.

Often, boxing is a combat sport in which two people engage in a contest of strength, speed, reflexes, endurance, and will by throwing punches with gloved hands against another opponent. Often, nationalism incorporates into boxing, for example, in the Olympics.

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 illustrates a top view of an exemplary game board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention with all four exemplary corner fasteners folded inwardly, and arrows at two corners illustrating a harness for folding during storage, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate detailed perspective views of exemplary game boards with exemplary storage portions, and exemplary indicia as ring apron sponsorships, where FIG. 2A illustrates a sliding storage portion, and FIG. 2B illustrates a hinged storage portion for an exemplary plurality of playing pieces, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary strategy game being played, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary pawn playing piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate detailed perspective views of exemplary king and queen playing pieces, where FIG. 5A illustrates a front view, and FIG. 5B illustrates a rear view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate various views of an exemplary rook playing piece, where FIG. 6A illustrates a side view, and FIG. 6B illustrates a top view with an exemplary emblem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an exemplary bishop playing piece, with an exemplary emblem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an exemplary knight playing piece, with an exemplary emblem in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

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 or system modules that are in at least general communication with each other need not be in continuous communication with each other, unless expressly specified otherwise. In addition, devices or system modules that are in at least general 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.

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. Thus, the present invention is not limited to any particular tangible means of implementation.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

There are various types of themed strategy games that may be provided by preferred embodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, the themed strategy game may include a strategy game, such as chess, that incorporates a theme from a combat sport, such as boxing, into a plurality of playing pieces and a game board. In some embodiments, the game board may be configured to replicate an arena or ring utilized by the combat sport, whereby the game board integrates the combat sport theme both decoratively and functionally. The game board may further incorporate indicia commonly seen at combat sports, or for advertising or promotional purposes. In some embodiments, the game board may include a storage portion for storing a plurality of playing pieces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of playing pieces may also carry the combat sport theme. Each playing piece may be shaped and dimensioned to resemble a component of the combat sport. Though, the functional aspect of the plurality of playing pieces remains the same as the standard strategy game, despite the decorative changes. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a version of the themed strategy game may include a boxing ring chess board that conforms to standard chess rules and its boxing flavor. For example, without limitation, a pawn playing piece may resemble a clenched fist; with a light colored playing piece having a bare hand, and a dark colored playing piece having a hand wrapped white gauze material. Further, a king playing piece may be configured to resemble a glossy royal purple boxing glove, and a queen playing piece may be configured to resemble a glossy pink boxing glove. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that female boxing has gained increasing popularity and acceptance in recent times. Adding a female related color to the strategy game may provide additional attractiveness to the concept of a combat sport themed strategy game. In some embodiments, a rook playing piece and a bishop playing piece are configured to display an emblem, including, without limitation, a national flag, a slogan, a graphic, and text. A knight playing piece may be configured to resemble a boxer, where the dark colored playing piece may represent a male boxer, and the light colored playing piece may represent a female boxer. A pair of gloves on each boxer may depict an emblem, such as a national flag. In one alternative embodiment, two additional themes may correlate people of different races and religion into chess to teach and promote peace and acceptance without violence and bloodshed, internationally. In yet another alternative embodiment, a basketball team's starting five line-up and the sixth bench player can also be converted into the functions of all six chess pieces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the strategy game includes rules that are substantially similar to a strategy game having no theme. The objectives and rules of the combat sport themed strategy game may include two sets of a plurality of playing pieces controlled by two opposing players. The plurality of playing pieces may include individual characters having an eclectic assortment of ranks and movement patterns, which are utilized to strategically traverse a game board. The objective being to capture an opponent's designated playing piece, such as a king playing piece. In some embodiments, players may take turns moving their respective playing pieces throughout the game board with the objective of capturing a king playing piece. The king playing piece may be considered captured when under attack by the opposing player pieces with no clear space to move to, or when a defensive or blocking maneuver is not available. A player may attempt to capture the opposing king playing piece, while simultaneously protecting their own king playing piece. Each type of playing piece performs a different movement pattern. For example, a bishop playing piece traverses the game board with a diagonal pattern, but may not jump over other playing pieces.

FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of an exemplary game board, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a strategy game, such as chess, incorporates a theme from a combat sport, such as boxing, into the plurality of playing pieces and the game board. In some embodiments, a game board 100 may be configured to replicate an arena or ring utilized by the combat sport, whereby the game board integrates the combat sport theme both decoratively and functionally. The game board may be configured to be divided into a grid like, checkered pattern of a plurality of spaces 102. Each space may include a physical unit of progress on the game board delimited by a distinct border. Each space may define a unique position on the game board on which the plurality of playing pieces may be located while in play. In one embodiment of the present invention, the game board may include a plurality of square spaces comprising both light-colored spaces and dark-colored spaces. The plurality of playing pieces may consist of sixteen light-colored playing pieces and sixteen dark-colored playing pieces that are placed on the game board in a predetermined pattern at the beginning of the strategy game. In some variants, the game board may position such that a light-colored space is in each player's near-right corner. In some embodiments, a perimeter portion 104 may help enhance the combat sport theme. The perimeter portion may include, without limitation, boxing ropes, bunting, a ring apron, and a wire cage. At least one fastener 106 may help support the perimeter portion. In one embodiment, the at least one fastener may be configured to resemble a post in a boxing ring, and may pivot on the game board to raise and lower the perimeter portion. Suitable materials for fabricating the game board may include, without limitation, wood, leather, metals, glass, marble, stone, vinyl, paperboards, alabaster, and marble. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that a boxing ring chess board has the same dimensions as a standard chess board. There are no features within the present invention that interfere with traditional chess rules. The present invention may be used solely to combine both realms. In one embodiment, a standard chess timer, such as a clock, may be included.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate detailed perspective views of exemplary game boards with exemplary storage portions, where FIG. 2A illustrates a sliding storage portion, and FIG. 2B illustrates a hinged storage portion for an exemplary plurality of playing pieces, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a plurality of playing pieces 200 may also carry the combat sport theme. In some embodiments, the game board may incorporate indicia 202 commonly seen at combat sports, or for advertising or promotional purposes. In some embodiments, the game board may include a storage portion 204 for storing a plurality of playing pieces. A ring apron may cover the storage portion.

In one embodiment of the present invention, each playing piece may be shaped and dimensioned to resemble a component of the combat sport. Though, the functional aspect of the plurality of playing pieces remains the same as the standard strategy game, despite the decorative changes. For example, without limitation, a pawn playing piece may resemble a clenched fist; with a light colored playing piece having a bare hand, and a dark colored playing piece having a hand wrapped in a white gauze material. Further, a king playing piece may be configured to resemble a glossy royal purple boxing glove, and a queen playing piece may be configured to resemble a glossy pink boxing glove. Those skilled in the art, in light of the present teachings, will recognize that female boxing has gained increasing popularity and acceptance in recent times. Adding a female related color to the strategy game may provide additional attractiveness to the concept of a combat sport themed strategy game. In some embodiments, a rook playing piece and a bishop playing piece are configured to display an emblem, including, without limitation, a national flag, a slogan, a graphic, and text. A knight playing piece may be configured to resemble a boxer, where the dark colored playing piece may represent a male boxer, and the light colored playing piece may represent a female boxer. A pair of gloves on each boxer may depict an emblem, such as a national flag. In other embodiments, the bishop may include a boxing training instrument, such as a speed punching bag, set on the bishop's head. In yet another embodiment, atop the rook playing piece a mini boxing ring may be positioned, rather than the castle imagery. In yet another embodiment the king and queen playing piece may include a standing male and female boxer in a boxers' stance.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of playing pieces may be fabricated from material made to look like a boxing themed object, including, without limitation, a scale model of a boxer, animal, or inanimate object, or otherwise general symbol. The playing pieces may include, without limitation, marbles, chips, figurines, counters, tokens, bits, meeples, movers, pawns, and a man. In some embodiments, each set of playing pieces may bear an identifying indicium for that set. The identifying indicium may include, without limitation, flags, shapes, designs, colors, logos, texts, and graphics.

FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary strategy game being played, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the strategy game may include rules that are substantially similar to a strategy game having no theme. The combat sport, of which the strategy game is themed, may include, without limitation, boxing, fighting, wrestling, martial arts, hockey, and football. The objectives and rules of the combat sport themed strategy game may include two sets of a plurality of playing pieces controlled by two opposing players. In one embodiment, the plurality of playing pieces may include individual boxing themed characters having an eclectic assortment of ranks and movement patterns, which are utilized to strategically traverse a game board. The objective being to capture an opponent's designated playing piece, such as a king playing piece. In some embodiments, players may take turns moving their respective playing pieces throughout the game board with the objective of capturing a king playing piece. The king playing piece may be considered captured when under attack by the opposing player pieces with no clear space to move to, or when a defensive or blocking maneuver is not available. A player may attempt to capture the opposing king playing piece, while simultaneously protecting their own king playing piece. Each type of playing piece performs a different movement pattern. For example, a bishop playing piece traverses the game board with a diagonal pattern, but may not jump over other playing pieces. In one embodiment, the king and queen playing pieces may include a standing male and female boxer in a boxing stance with a Lineal Crown atop its head representing a champion, or a championship belt around its waist.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at the beginning of the strategy game, the plurality of playing pieces may be disposed in a predetermined pattern on each player's proximal end of the game board. Each playing piece may represent a boxing themed character having unique authorities and movement patterns. For each player, the plurality of playing pieces may include, without limitation: one king, one queen, two rooks, two bishops, two knights, and eight pawns. However, in other embodiments, different numbers of each playing piece may be utilized. The plurality of playing pieces may initially position on the two proximal rows for each respective player before dispersing out during the game. In one embodiment, such as a chess game, the plurality of playing pieces comprise at least one movement pattern. The at least one movement pattern includes an L-shaped pattern utilized by the at least one knight playing piece, a diagonal pattern utilized by the at least one rook playing piece, and a linear pattern utilized by the at least one pawn playing piece, the at least one bishop playing piece, the queen playing piece, and the king playing piece.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed perspective view of an exemplary pawn playing piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, at least one pawn playing piece 400 may resemble a clenched fist. A light colored playing piece may include a bare hand, while a dark colored playing piece may include a hand wrapped in a white gauze material. In one embodiment, the strategy game may employ eight pawn playing pieces for each player to position on the more forward of two proximal rows. The at least one pawn playing piece may form a defensive barrier along a horizontal axis of the game board for guarding the king playing piece. The at least one pawn playing piece may be capable of steady movement towards the opposing player's rear row for promotion to a more powerful playing piece, and potentially capturing the king playing piece. The at least one pawn playing piece may only move vertically forward towards the opposing playing piece. The at least one pawn playing piece may not move backwards. The at least one pawn playing piece may only capture an opposing playing piece when it is on the diagonal space directly in front of the pawn playing pieces. If two opposing pawn playing pieces face each other, they cannot capture each other. Pawn playing pieces on their initial move may advance forward one or two spaces. However, after the initial move, the at least one pawn playing piece may only advance one space.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate detailed perspective views of exemplary king playing piece and queen playing piece, where FIG. 5A illustrates a front view, and FIG. 5B illustrates a rear view, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a king playing piece 500 may be configured to resemble a glossy royal purple boxing glove, and a queen playing piece 502 may be configured to resemble a glossy pink boxing glove. The queen playing piece may provide the greatest advantages in the strategy game because of the unlimited space movement capacity in any direction, despite the inability to jump over all the other playing pieces. The king playing piece may move in one space in any direction; though the king playing piece's chief objective is to avoid capture by leveraging the playing pieces and strategic positioning on small areas of the game board.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate various views of an exemplary rook playing piece, where FIG. 6A illustrates a side view, and FIG. 6B illustrates a top view with an exemplary emblem, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, at least one rook playing piece 600 may be configured to display an emblem 602, including, without limitation, a national flag, a slogan, a graphic, and text. In one embodiment, the emblem may include playing pieces that display national flags for twelve countries having a great interest in the sport of boxing. The countries may include, without limitation, Philippines, Russia, Ukraine, Puerto Rico, United States, Nigeria, Australia, Mexico, Canada, Germany, China and United Kingdom. Additional countries that may utilize the emblem may include, without limitation, Jamaica, Virgin Islands, Haiti, Dominica Republic, Argentina, Ireland, North and South Korea, Zaire, Kenya and Ghana (Africa), Poland, Brazil and Cape Verde Islands.

In one embodiment of the present invention, two rook playing pieces may position on a rear proximal row, on the outer corners, left and right edge of the game board. Each rook playing pieces may traverse along the full horizontal and vertical length of the game board as long as another playing piece does not obstruct the path. Each rook playing piece may move one or more spaces in any direction, backward, forward, horizontal, and vertical. In some variants, each rook playing pieces may also switch spaces with the king playing piece as a defensive strategy. Switching spaces with the king playing piece is conditional. In one condition, the king playing piece must not have already made an initial move. In a second condition, the at least one rook playing piece must not have made an initial move. However, if a second rook playing piece has not made the initial move, the second rook playing piece may switch spaces with the king playing piece.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of an exemplary bishop playing piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, at least one bishop playing piece 700 may be configured to display an emblem, including, without limitation, a national flag, a slogan, a graphic, and text. The at least one bishop playing piece may position immediately inside of the at least one knight playing piece, moving in a diagonal pattern along the game board once the pawn playing pieces have cleared a space for movement.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of an exemplary knight playing piece, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, at least one knight playing piece 800 may be configured to resemble a boxer, where the dark colored playing piece may represent a male boxer, and the light colored playing piece may represent a female boxer. A pair of gloves on each boxer may depict an emblem, such as a national flag. In some embodiments, the at least one knight playing piece may position immediately inside of the at least one rook playing piece, and are adept at strategically jumping over playing pieces in an L-shaped pattern. The at least one knight playing piece may jump over any other playing piece in its path.

In one alternative embodiment, the strategy game includes an audio portion and a vibrating motor operable to shake the game board and announce a knockout when the king playing piece is captures. In yet another alternative embodiment, the plurality of playing pieces are remotely controlled to traverse the game board through mechanical means, such as magnets or rails, so that the players do not have to reach over the boxing ring to move the players. In yet another alternative embodiment, the knight playing piece resembles a famous boxer from a specific country to match the emblem on the boxing gloves. In yet another alternative embodiment, the strategy game may have interruptions between rounds.

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.

It is noted that according to USA law 35 USC §112 (1), all claims must be supported by sufficient disclosure in the present patent specification, and any material known to those skilled in the art need not be explicitly disclosed. However, 35 USC §112 (6) requires that structures corresponding to functional limitations interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) must be explicitly disclosed in the patent specification. Moreover, the USPTO's Examination policy of initially treating and searching prior art under the broadest interpretation of a “mean for” claim limitation implies that the broadest initial search on 112(6) functional limitation would have to be conducted to support a legally valid Examination on that USPTO policy for broadest interpretation of “mean for” claims. Accordingly, the USPTO will have discovered a multiplicity of prior art documents including disclosure of specific structures and elements which are suitable to act as corresponding structures to satisfy all functional limitations in the below claims that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6) when such corresponding structures are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification. Therefore, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, yet do exist in the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of USPTO searching, Applicant(s) incorporate all such functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material herein by reference for the purpose of providing explicit structures that implement the functional means claimed. Applicant(s) request(s) that fact finders during any claims construction proceedings and/or examination of patent allowability properly identify and incorporate only the portions of each of these documents discovered during the broadest interpretation search of 35 USC §112 (6) limitation, which exist in at least one of the patent and/or non-patent documents found during the course of normal USPTO searching and or supplied to the USPTO during prosecution. Applicant(s) also incorporate by reference the bibliographic citation information to identify all such documents comprising functionally corresponding structures and related enabling material as listed in any PTO Form-892 or likewise any information disclosure statements (IDS) entered into the present patent application by the USPTO or Applicant(s) or any 3^rd parties. Applicant(s) also reserve its right to later amend the present application to explicitly include citations to such documents and/or explicitly include the functionally corresponding structures which were incorporate by reference above.

Thus, for any invention element(s)/structure(s) corresponding to functional claim limitation(s), in the below claims, that are interpreted under 35 USC §112 (6), which is/are not explicitly disclosed in the foregoing patent specification, Applicant(s) have explicitly prescribed which documents and material to include the otherwise missing disclosure, and have prescribed exactly which portions of such patent and/or non-patent documents should be incorporated by such reference for the purpose of satisfying the disclosure requirements of 35 USC §112 (6). Applicant(s) note that all the identified documents above which are incorporated by reference to satisfy 35 USC §112 (6) necessarily have a filing and/or publication date prior to that of the instant application, and thus are valid prior documents to incorporated by reference in the instant application.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of implementing a combat sport theme into a strategy game 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 combat sport theme into a strategy game may vary depending upon the particular context or application. By way of example, and not limitation, the combat sport theme into a strategy game described in the foregoing were principally directed to a boxing themed chess game implementations; however, similar techniques may instead be applied to various sports themes incorporated into various strategy games, with myriad combinations of possibilities, 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 game comprising:

a game board, said game board being configured to host a strategy game, said game board further being configured to at least partially replicate a combat sport theme, said game board comprising an indicia for displaying said combat sport theme and/or an advertisement; and

a plurality of playing pieces, said plurality of playing pieces being configured to traverse said game board for playing said strategy game, each playing piece being configured to replicate said combat sport theme, at least one playing piece comprising an emblem, said emblem comprising a national flag, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one pawn playing piece, said at least one pawn playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a clenched fist, said at least one pawn playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in a linear movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one knight playing piece, said at least one knight playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a boxer, said at least one knight playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in an L-shaped movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one king playing piece, said at least one king playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a purple boxing glove, said at least one king playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in said linear movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one queen playing piece, said at least one queen playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a pink boxing glove, said at least one queen playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in said linear movement pattern.

2. The game of claim 1, in which said strategy game comprises a chess game.

3. The game of claim 1, in which said combat sport theme comprises boxing.

4. The game of claim 1, in which said game board comprises a plurality of spaces, each space comprising a physical unit of progress, each space further comprising a distinct border.

5. The game of claim 1, in which said game board comprises a perimeter portion, said perimeter portion comprising a boxing rope and/or a bunting and/or a ring apron and/or a wire cage.

6. The game of claim 5, in which said game board comprises at least one fastener, said at least one fastener being configured to at least partially support said perimeter portion.

7. The game of claim 6, in which said at least one fastener comprises four corner boxing ring posts.

8. The game of claim 1, in which said game board comprises a storage portion, said storage portion being configured to store said plurality of playing pieces.

9. The game of claim 1, in which said plurality of playing pieces comprise one king playing piece, and one queen playing piece, and two rook playing pieces, and two bishop playing pieces, and two knight playing pieces, and eight pawn playing pieces.

10. The game of claim 1, in which said plurality of playing pieces comprise at least one movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern comprising said L-shaped movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising said diagonal movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising said linear movement pattern.

11. The game of claim 1, in which said boxer comprises a pair of boxing gloves, said pair of boxing gloves comprising said emblem.

12. The game of claim 1, in which said boxer comprises a dark colored knight playing piece, said dark colored knight playing piece comprising a male boxer.

13. The game of claim 1, in which said boxer comprises a light colored knight playing piece, said light colored knight playing piece comprising a female boxer.

14. The game of claim 1, in which said purple boxing glove comprises a purple lace-up style boxing glove.

15. The game of claim 1, in which said pink boxing glove comprises a pink lace-up style boxing glove.

16. The game of claim 1, in which said rook playing piece comprises said emblem.

17. The game of claim 1, in which said emblem comprises at least one national flag, said at least one national flag comprising Philippines and/or Russia and/or Ukraine and/or Puerto Rico and/or United States and/or Nigeria and/or Australia and/or Mexico and/or Canada and/or Germany and/or China and/or United Kingdom.

18. The game of claim 1, in which said clenched first comprises at least one light colored pawn playing piece having a bare hand colored white, said clenched first further comprising at least one dark colored pawn playing piece having a hand wrapped white gauze material colored black.

19. A game comprising:

means for orienting a game board between two players;

means for providing a set of playing pieces to each player;

means for positioning a plurality of playing pieces on two proximal rows of said game board;

means for moving said plurality of playing pieces across said game board in at least one movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising an L-shaped pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising a diagonal pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising a linear pattern;

means for capturing said plurality of playing pieces, wherein capturing comprises occupying a space of an opposing playing piece; and

means for winning said game by capturing a king playing piece.

20. A game consisting of:

a game board, the game board being configured to at least partially replicate an arena utilized by a combat sport, said combat sport comprising boxing, said game board comprising an indicia for displaying a combat sport theme and/or advertisement, said game board being configured to host a strategy game, said strategy game comprising a chess game, said game board further comprising a plurality of spaces, each space comprising a physical unit of progress, each space further comprising a distinct border, said game board further comprising at least one fastener, said at least one fastener being configured to at least partially support said perimeter portion, said game board further comprises a storage portion, said storage portion being configured to contain; and

a plurality of playing pieces, said plurality of playing pieces comprising one king playing piece, and one queen playing piece, and two rook playing pieces, and two bishop playing pieces, and two knight playing pieces, and eight pawn playing pieces, said plurality of playing pieces being configured to traverse said game board for playing said chess game, said plurality of playing pieces comprising at least one movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern comprising an L-shaped movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising a diagonal movement pattern, said at least one movement pattern further comprising a linear movement pattern, each playing piece being configured to replicate a combat sport theme, at least one playing piece comprising an emblem, said emblem comprising a national flag, said national flag comprising at least one nation, said national flag comprising Philippines and/or Russia and/or Ukraine and/or Puerto Rico and/or United States and/or Nigeria and/or Australia and/or Mexico and/or Canada and/or Germany and/or China and/or United Kingdom, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one pawn playing piece, said at least one pawn playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a clenched fist, said at least one pawn playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in a linear movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one knight playing piece, said at least one knight playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a boxer, said at least one knight playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in an L-shaped movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one king playing piece, said at least one king playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a purple boxing glove, said at least one king playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in said linear movement pattern, said plurality of playing pieces further comprising at least one queen playing piece, said at least one queen playing piece being configured to at least partially resemble a pink boxing glove, said at least one queen playing piece being operable to traverse said game board in said linear movement pattern.