POW! board game

Abstract

This invention is a unique strategy board game involving traditional chess skills, decision-making and tactics. It has a unique scoring system. The moves assigned to the pieces, the combination in which they are used, and their point values, are new concepts. The game board, specifically designed for the rules contained within this patent, consists of a horizontal playing surface of checkered squares or circles, on which the game pieces move each in accordance with its designated movement rules. Each player moves the game pieces with the object of capturing as many of the opposing player's pieces as possible to prevent scoring by the opposing player and by moving as many of the player's own pieces as possible to the opposing player's first row on the board, with the object of scoring points.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Background

This invention relates generally to military style chess-like board games, combining the ideas of chess with other military style board games, and specifically relates to improvements, expansions, or variants of both the popular chess game and military style board games.

2. Description of Prior Art

A) History and Movement of the Pieces

Originating in Asia, orthodox chess is a game of skill for two players, played upon an eight-by-eight square, checkered game board. Chess rules and movements of the pieces have been essentially unchanged for five hundred years. The game consists of the six familiar types of pieces with their accepted modes of movement. The king moves any direction one square at a time. The rook moves in a straight direction (vertically or horizontally) any number of squares. The bishop moves diagonally any number of squares. The knight moves one straight, then one diagonally at a forty-five degree angle. Alternately, the knight moves one diagonal, then one straight at a forty-five degree angle. Yet again, rules of chess describe the knight's movement as “L-shaped,” two squares in one straight direction, then one square orthogonally. These three descriptions of the knight's movement amount to the same two-square move because this piece alone can jump, or leap, over an intervening piece.

The queen has a choice of movement like either a bishop or a rook in one turn. The pawn moves one square forward, with the option of two squares before it has been moved once. The pawn captures diagonally, whereas the other pieces capture in their ordinary movement. A capture removes one of the opponent's pieces from play, and thus no two pieces occupy the same square at the same time. The castling move transposes a player's king and rook in the following way. Over unoccupied and unthreatened squares, the king is moved two squares horizontally, right or left, toward a rook, and that rook is moved over the king to the adjacent square.

Turns alternate between the two opponents, or sides, white and black, until one player checkmates the other. In checkmate, a player's king cannot successfully move out of a check, where it is threatened with capture. Briefly, these are the rules for movements and play of the pieces in orthodox, or classical, or standard chess, all three terms being used synonymously. Some national differences remained on points of stalemate, castling, pawn promotion, and the pawn en passant rule. As a result, laws of chess were further universalized in the twentieth century to the game today.

However, the chess game does not have the point scoring system that allows points to be scored by the player reaching the opposing player's base.

In chess, the only player of value is the king, while this game assigns point values to every piece, and the winner is calculated not according to the defeat of a King, but according to the total point value of all of the pieces on the board.

In addition, the initial placement of the chess pieces in a traditional chess game is fixed which limits the potential number of possible layouts. More experienced chess players generally recognize some of the most popular or traditional gambits or chess piece layouts as employed by other master chess players . . . .

B) Military Strategy

A number of games have been designed that attempt to simulate certain realistic but hypothetical situations. Many of these games employ moving game pieces, and many have only one way for the player to win. The unique scoring system for this game allows a variety of strategies and scenarios to produce the winner. This game forces players not to look to the protection or destruction of one piece, but to the protection and destruction of them all, according to their respective values.

Many military strategy games are also decided by mere chance, with dice rolls or drawn cards. This game significantly reduces element of chance, and can be viewed as a mathematical equation. Every decision is an important building block to determine the outcome of the game, and a skilled player can plan offensive and defensive scenarios, keeping in mind the value of the pieces, the securing of points and the capturing of the opponents pieces

Additionally, each new setup of the board provides a new deployment scenario, as the players are given many options as to the placement of the game pieces, and thus players are weighing the consequences of their actions before active play has even begun.

Thus, there is a need for a game that combines the skills of chess and military board games with mathematical thinking necessary to utilize designated movement rules in the dual task of advancing the player's own pieces and while attempting to capture the opposing players pieces. Furthermore, there is a need for a board game that is dynamic in that it affords players substantial opportunity to place and move game pieces according to their own strategies and tactics. Lastly, there is a need for a game where the initial placements of the game pieces are not fixed thereby allowing the game to have numerous different variations and less predictability. The present invention satisfies these needs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention has been granted a U.S. Provisional patent under application No. 60/489,004 to customer number 34271. The filing date is Jul. 22, 2003

This invention is a two-player strategy game involving traditional chess skills, military strategy, decision-making and finesse, combined in a completely unique manner. Comprising a playing surface of 64 circles or squares in a chessboard like manner. Each player sets up their game pieces, game pieces have pre-determined values and moves that the game piece can make according to a pre-determined rule for each piece, similar to the corresponding rules of the traditional chess games. The object of the game is to get as many game pieces to the opposing players Base to score the value points of the piece, and to capture the opponent's game pieces to prevent the opponent from scoring the value points of the piece. The game ends when either player has no pieces left and the players tally up the score of their pieces that have successfully made it to the opponents Base.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates a board game in which players will strategically set-up the game pieces with the rules providing certain limited restrictions.

The preferred embodiment of the invention also contemplates a board game that is dynamic in that it affords players substantial opportunity to place and move game pieces according to their own strategies and tactics, thereby simultaneously stimulating an interest in and assisting in the development of these skills and in thought processes generally. A mathematical aspect of the game that assigns point value to each group of game pieces provides uncountable variations of winning strategy thus making the game more entertaining and interesting.

Also contemplated by the preferred embodiment of the present invention is a board game that is economical and easy for a manufacturer to fabricate and that is easy for a user to set up, transport and store. It is contemplated that their will be multiple themes and game pieces, such as nautical themes, animal kingdom, historical figures, entertainment figures, etc. which will provide interest to every demographic, economic, and biographic segment of society.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1.1 is bird's eye view of the game board showing the measurements and dimensions of the board. It also outlines the player's and opponent's respective base and frontline.

FIG. 1.2 is an enlarged 3 dimensional partial view of the game board. It shows the board's thickness and unique architecture.

FIG. 2.1 represents a bird's eye view of how the soldier, bull frog or sphere game piece moves.

FIG. 2.2 represents a front view of the soldier game piece.

FIG. 2.3 represents a side view of the soldier game piece.

FIG. 2.4 represents a side view of the bull frog game piece.

FIG. 2.5 represents a front view of the sphere game piece.

FIG. 3.1 represents a bird's eye view of how the artillery, wolf or cone game piece moves.

FIG. 3.2 represents a front view of the artillery game piece.

FIG. 3.3 represents a side view of the artillery game piece.

FIG. 3.4 represents a wolf game piece.

FIG. 3.5 represents a cone game piece.

FIG. 4.1 represents a bird's eye view of how the helicopter, eagle or cylinder game piece moves.

FIG. 4.2 represents a front view of the helicopter game piece.

FIG. 4.3 represents a side view of the helicopter game piece.

FIG. 4.4 represents an eagle game piece.

FIG. 4.5 represents a cylinder game piece.

FIG. 5.1 represents a bird's eye view of how the tank, black panther or cube game piece moves.

FIG. 5.2 represents a front view of the tank game piece.

FIG. 5.3 represents a side view of the tank game piece.

FIG. 5.4 represents black panther game piece.

FIG. 5.5 represents a cube game piece.

FIG. 6.1 represents a bird's eye view of how the nuke, bear or rectangle game piece moves.

FIG. 6.2 represents a front view of the nuke game piece.

FIG. 6.3 represents a side view of the nuke game piece.

FIG. 6.4 represents a bear game piece.

FIG. 6.5 represents a rectangle game piece.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following discussion describes in detail one embodiment of the invention and several variations of that embodiment. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well.

The invention is a game set containing a substantially horizontal playing surface, preferably with Six-four (64) circles or squares and thirty-two (32) game pieces. The playing surface may be made of any substantially horizontal surface, with checkered circles for the placement of the game pieces. Each game piece, which may be made of any number of substantially hardened and opaque material (such as plastic, wood or cardboard) is a figure, like a Chess piece. A graphical representation of the Board is shown in FIG. 1.1 and -the game pieces are shown in FIGS 2.1-6.5.

Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are designated by like reference numerals throughout the several views, there is shown in FIG. 1 a board game (1.1-1.3), with a substantially horizontal playing surface (2), defined by an array of large circles of equal dimensions. A plurality of playing pieces is provided for the players (FIGS. 2.1-6.5). These playing pieces are representative of moveable figures that can be moved about the board. The playing pieces include Helicopters (2), Tanks (2), Soldiers (8), Artillery (2), and Nukes (2) for each player. These game pieces are miniature statuettes or the like, made from a polymer, metal or the like. Rules of play concerning each game piece are described below.

In a first preferred embodiment, the common eight-by-eight (8.times.8) black and white chessboard can be used as the playing surface or the board of circles as described above. A plurality of players, preferably will place their own game pieces as follows along the first two rows of the playing surface closest to each player, enabling each player to view the graphical representation of the player's own game pieces: (Placement of Pieces)

Method of Play

Set Up:

The row closest to each player is their base (see FIG. 1.1). The next row forward is their front line (see FIG. 1.1). Players can set up their pieces on these two rows in any desired pattered with 2 (two) exceptions:

• • 1. The pieces represented by both Helicopters must be on any square on the front line.
  • 2. The pieces represented by both Nukes must be on the far corners of their base.
    Start of the Game:

All pieces must be off the board for the game to start. Players begin placing their pieces tactically once the board is cleared. The first player to set up his/her team completely, moves first. Once your team is complete, you cannot change your arrangement.

Courtesy:

The player who sets up first has the right to extend courtesy to the other player to make the first move. If courtesy is extended, it MUST be accepted

The Moves:

The pieces represented here by the Soldiers may move one (1) space in ANY direction as shown in FIG. 2.1

The pieces represented here by the Artillery may move up to three (3) spaces diagonally as shown in FIG. 3.1.

The pieces represented here by the Helicopters must jump two (2) spaces in any direction. Jumping over an opponent is the only way to eliminate an opponent with these pieces as shown in FIG. 4.1

The pieces represented here by the Tanks can move up to two (2) spaces either vertically or horizontally as shown in FIG. 5.1

The pieces represented by the Nukes can move in ANY direction for as many spaces possible in a straight line as shown in FIG. 6.1

Points:

The pieces represented here below have the following point values:

• • Nukes=100 points
  • Tanks=50 Points
  • Helicopters=40 Points
  • Artillery 32 30 Points
  • Soldiers=10 Points except the last Soldier is worth 100 Points.
    Further Rules of Play:

Players can move as described above as long as they want. Once a piece lands on the opponents base as shown in FIG. 1.1, the player whose piece landed on the opposing players base collects the applicable points and the piece is taken out of the game. The piece cannot return to the game.

Players prevent their opposing player from scoring the applicable points by capturing the opposing players pieces. Pieces are captured when a player makes a move that lands their piece on an opposing players piece with the exception of the piece represented by the Helicopter, whereby it can only capture a piece by jumping over it. However, the piece represented by the Helicopter cannot capture a the piece represented by the Nuke at all. Once a piece is captured it is removed from the game board and the piece cannot be returned to game board.

If a player eliminates an opponent's piece and lands on the opponents base at the same time the player must wait one full turn before they can collect the points. The players' next turn must be to collect the points. (Total of two (2) turns used).

All pieces, whether on the board or removed must be visible to both players at all times.

Upon moving a piece, once the player's finger is removed from the piece, the move is complete and cannot be taken back.

The game ends when all of the pieces of one player have been removed from the game board. The player with the most points is declared the winner.

In The Event of a tie score the team who has a piece still on the board wins.

Claims

1. A strategy game of skill comprising of:

a) a substantially horizontal playing surface containing a plurality of checkered squares or circles.

b) At least two sets of playing pieces, one set for each of said players.

c) A plurality of game pieces, each game piece being a figure, wherein the base firmly supports the game piece on the horizontal playing surface;

wherein both players place the game pieces on the horizontal playing surface,

wherein each player moves each game piece according to the game rules,

such that the player with the most points at the conclusion of the game, wins the game.

2. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein the initial placement of the game pieces contains some fixed pieces and some pieces, which can be randomly placed by the player.

3. The strategy game according to claim 1, whereby the pieces may only be placed on the first two rows of the game board on the player's side.

4. The strategy game according to claim 1 whereby the initial placement of the game pieces on the playing surface is conducted by placing one (Nuke) on each of the circles at the far corners of the first row, then by placing both (Helicopters) on any of the circles on the second row, and finally by placing the rest of the pieces anywhere on the remaining circles of the first two rows.

5. The strategy game according to claim 1, whereby a player captures an opposing player's piece by moving one of his or her pieces into the square or circle occupied by the opposing player's piece. The captured piece is then removed from the board.

6. The strategy game according to claim 1, whereby a player is able to move one of his pieces to the opponents Base and thus scoring the point value of that piece. The scoring piece is then out of play and removed from the board, and its designated point value is added to the player's score.

7. The strategy game according to claim 1, whereby a player captures an opposing player's piece by moving one of his or her pieces into the square or circle occupied by the opposing player's piece. The captured piece is then out of play and removed from the board, and its designated point value is added to the player's score.

8. A strategy game according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) a substantially horizontal playing surface with a plurality of checkered squares or circles in a plurality of rows and columns;

b) a plurality of game pieces with different distinguishing features for each player, which comprises

I) a plurality of Nukes;

ii) a plurality of Tanks;

iii) a plurality of Helicopters;

iv) a plurality of Artillery;

v) a plurality of Soldiers;

whereby each player across from each other places the game pieces in the first and second rows of the playing surface in any manner,

whereby each player moves the pieces each according to the piece's designated movement rules, such that the game ends when either one player has no more pieces or when one player has placed his last piece in the opponents first row, the player with the most points wins the game.

9. A two-player strategy game combining elements of skill comprising:

a) a substantially horizontal playing surface with eight horizontal rows and eight verticals columns of sixty-four checkered squares or circles;

b) a plurality of game pieces with different distinguishing features for each player, the game pieces of each player comprise two opposing sides, the second side is opaque, and the first side comprises:

I) two Nukes,

ii) two Tanks,

iii) two Helicopters,

iv) two Artillery, and

v) eight Soldiers;

whereby each player across from each other places the game pieces in the first and second rows of the playing surface in any manner,

whereby each player moves the pieces each according to the piece's designated movement rules such that the game ends when either one player has no more pieces or when one player has placed his last piece in the opponents first row, the player with the most points wins the game.

10. A two-player strategy game according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) a substantially horizontal playing surface with eight horizontal rows and eight verticals columns of sixty-four checkered squares or circles;

b) a plurality of generic game pieces with different distinguishing features for each player, the game pieces of each player comprise two opposing sides, the second side is opaque, and the first side comprises:

I) a plurality of Rectangles,

ii) a plurality of Cubes,

iii) a plurality of Cylinders,

iv) a plurality of Cones, and

v) a plurality of Spheres;

whereby each player across from each other places the game pieces in the first and second rows of the playing surface in any manner,

whereby each player moves the pieces each according to the piece's designated movement rules such that the game. ends when either one player has no more pieces or when one player has placed his last piece in the opponents first row, the player with the most points wins the game.

11. A two-player strategy game according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) a substantially horizontal playing surface with eight horizontal rows and eight verticals columns of sixty-four checkered squares or circles;

b) a plurality of generic game pieces with different distinguishing features for each player, the game pieces of each player comprise two opposing sides, the second side is opaque, and the first side comprises:

i) a plurality of Bullfrogs,

ii) a plurality of Wolves,

iii) a plurality of Panthers,

iv) a plurality of Eagles, and

v) a plurality of Bears;

whereby each player across from each other places the game pieces in the first and second rows of the playing surface in any manner,

whereby each player moves the pieces each according to the piece's designated movement rules such that the game ends when either one player has no more pieces or when one player has placed his last piece in the opponents first row, the player with the most points wins the game.