Strategic board game
A game board comprising a game board surface having a pattern including three concentric parallelograms arranged so that no side of any parallelogram intersects another parallelogram. A set of four lines originating at the corners of the first parallelogram and terminating at the corners of the third parallelogram to intersect the corners of the second parallelogram and a set of four lines originating between the corners of the first parallelogram, the arrangement of said sets of lines forming a pattern having twenty-four vertices upon said game board and wherein said game board surface allows contact with a game token is disclosed. A game may be played with two or four players in a multitude of ways using twenty game tokens with an object being strategic linear arrangement of the game tokens for removal of the individual's assigned game tokens or those of the opposing players.
The invention relates to board games. The embodiments shown and described herein are more particularly for board games in which players move game tokens to certain spaces on a patterned board in order to align the game tokens in a specific manner, and for a new and challenging method of play.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONSNone
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENTNo federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIXNot Applicable
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONBoard games have long been used for entertainment and education. Games involving strategic placement of game tokens on a patterned board have been particularly popular. As long as individuals continue to enjoy leisure time, a demand for such games will continue, and challenging, new forms of games will be desired. The present invention provides both a desirable and challenging leisure time diversion board game suitable for two or four players. If two players are playing, each player receives ten game tokens. If four players are playing, each player receives five game tokens. The game tokens assigned to each player can be identical. The game tokens of opposing players should be distinguishable based on any or all of the following recognizable attributes including size, shape, color and design and or a combination of any of the preceding attributes. The game tokens should be of a size and shape to rest against the game board and substantially occupy the vertices of the game board. The game board has a pattern which is comprised of three concentric parallelograms of increasing perimeter with identical aspect ratios and orientations connected by eight lines with intersections defining twenty-four vertices. The four lines connecting the respective corners of the concentric parallelograms form twelve vertices, and four lines bisecting the respective sides of the parallelograms so that the connecting lines are equidistant from the terminus of each respective side to form the remaining twelve vertices. In one embodiment of the present game, it is the objective of the game using the above described game board to achieve a configuration of game tokens in which the player's game tokens occupy all three vertices of a single line connecting the three concentric parallelograms, all three vertices of one side on a single parallelogram, or any three adjacent vertices regardless of whether the game tokens are in a linear configuration. Initial play begins with one player placing one of his game tokens on any open vertice. A placed game token occupies the chosen vertice of the game board. The other player then places one of his game tokens on any one of the open vertices on the game board. The players continue to alternate game token placement until all twenty game tokens have been placed by both players. During initial game token placement, both players attempt to place their game tokens in configurations in which the player's game tokens occupy all three vertices of a single line connecting the three concentric parallelograms. Strategically, both players also use game token placement on open vertices to block the opposing player from achieving the three-in-a-line configuration. In this way, the game is similar to the children's game “Tic-Tac-Toe.” Upon achieving the objective configuration, the player removes his configured pieces and is allowed to move one game token to again achieve the desired three in a row configuration. Strategic play continues after all player game tokens have been placed in play on the game board. The players then take turns strategically moving their respective game tokens to achieve further desired configurations thereby reducing their respective game tokens. The winner is declared upon reaching less than three game tokens.
In another embodiment, each player attempts to place his or her assigned game tokens so that three game tokens form a straight line either on three vertices of a single connecting line or on three vertices on any single side of one of the concentric parallelograms. In this embodiment, when one player achieves one of the desired configurations, that player removes one game token of each opposing player. When all of a player's game tokens have been removed, the game is over for that player. A winner is declared when one player has removed all opposing players' game tokens.
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views,
The game can be played with either two or four players.
When the game commences, the game board 12 is void of game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51. In turn, each player puts his or her assigned game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 on an open vertice 5 until all game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 have been placed on the game board 12. Once one game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 is placed on an open vertice 5, it is an occupied vertice 6 and no additional game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 may be placed on that vertice by any player until the game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 is removed, causing the occupied vertice 6 to become an open vertice 5. During initial placement, both players attempt to place their game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 in configurations in which the player's game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 occupy all three vertices of a single connecting line 4 of the three concentric parallelograms as illustrated in
After all game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 have been placed, one player, in turn, moves one of his or her assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 to an open vertice 5 adjacent to the occupied vertice 6 that the game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 is presently occupying. The next player in turn does the same with his or her assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51, and if four players are participating, the remaining players move their assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 in their respective order of play. This cycle of players moving their assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 to adjacent open vertices 5 is repeated until one player has positioned three of his or her assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 on three consecutive vertices of a connecting line 4, along one side of a single parallelogram 1, 2 or 3 or on any three adjacent vertices or on any three adjacent vertices, at which point the player removes his configured pieces and is allowed to move one game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 in an attempt to again achieve one of the desired configurations. The players then take turns strategically moving their respective game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 to achieve further desired configurations and continue removing game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 when the desired configuration is achieved, thereby reducing their number of respective game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 present on the game board 12. The first player with less than three game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 remaining on the game board 12 is declared the winner.
In another embodiment, each player attempts to place his or her assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 so that three of that player's assigned game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 form a straight line either on three vertices of a single connecting line 4 or on three vertices on any single side of one of the concentric parallelograms 1, 2, or 3. The players strategically place their respective game tokens 21, 31, 41 or 51 to achieve the desired configurations and to block other players from doing the same. In this embodiment, when one player achieves one of the desired configurations, that player removes one game token 21, 31, 41 or 51 of each opposing player. When all of a player's game tokens have been removed, the game is over for that player. A winner is declared when one player has removed all opposing players' game tokens.
Claims
1) A game board comprising a game board surface having a pattern including:
- a. a first four-sided parallelogram having a first perimeter;
- b. a second four-sided parallelogram having a second perimeter, wherein said first perimeter of said first parallelogram is greater than said second perimeter of said second parallelogram;
- c. a third sided parallelogram having a third perimeter, wherein said second perimeter of said second parallelogram is greater than said third perimeter of said third parallelogram, wherein said first, second and third parallelograms are in concentric relation and arranged so that no side of said first, second or third parallelogram intersects another parallelogram;
- d. a first set of four lines originating at the corners of the first parallelogram and terminating at the corners of the third parallelogram and thereby intersecting the corners of the second parallelogram; and, e. a second set of four lines originating between the corners of the first parallelogram, the arrangement of said first and second sets of lines forming a pattern having twenty-four vertices upon said game board, wherein said game board surface allows contact with a game token.
2) The game board as set forth in claim 1 in which said first, second and third parallelograms are further defined as rectangles.
3) The game board as set forth in claim 2 wherein said second set of lines connecting said concentric rectangles bisect the sides of said first, second and third rectangles.
4) A method of two opposing players playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
- a. selecting a first set of game tokens, said first set comprising ten individual game tokens;
- b. assigning said first set of game tokens to a first player;
- c. selecting a second set of game tokens, said second set of game tokens also comprising ten individual game tokens and wherein the selected game tokens of said first set are distinguishable from said selected game tokens of said second set;
- d. assigning said second set of game tokens to a second player;
- e. said first player initiating play by selecting a game token from said assigned first set of game tokens for strategic placement at any open vertice upon said game board;
- f. said second player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned second set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- g. alternating turns between said first and second players for continued strategic placement of respective assigned game tokens upon said game board;
- h. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three of said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- i. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- j. continuing play of game by allowing each of said players to alternate strategic movement of said assigned game tokens on said game board to open adjacent vertices during said player's turn;
- k. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- l. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram; and,
- m. declaring a winner of said game upon elimination of either of said first or second player's assigned game tokens from said game board and wherein said player with any assigned game tokens remaining on said game board is declared the game winner.
5) A method of playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 1 and using the method as set forth in claim 4 compromising:
- a. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices; and,
- b. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices.
6) A method of four opposing players playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
- a. selecting a first set of game tokens, said first set comprising five individual game tokens;
- b. assigning said first set of game tokens to a first player;
- c. selecting a second set of game tokens, said second set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said second set;
- d. assigning said second set of game tokens to a second player;
- e. selecting a third set of game tokens, said third set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first and second set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said third set;
- f. assigning said third set of game tokens to a third player;
- g. selecting a fourth set of game tokens, said fourth set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first, second and third set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said fourth set;
- h. assigning said fourth set of game tokens to a fourth player;
- i. said first player initiating play by selecting a game token from said assigned first set of game tokens for strategic placement at any open vertice upon said game board;
- j. said second player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned second set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- k. said third player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned third set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- l. said fourth player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned fourth set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- m. cycling turns among said first, second, third and fourth players for continued strategic placement of respective assigned game tokens upon said game board;
- n. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- o. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- p. allowing said third player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said third player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- q. allowing said fourth player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or third player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said fourth player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- r. continuing play of game by allowing each of said players to cycle strategic movement of said assigned game tokens on said game board to open adjacent vertices during said player's turn;
- s. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- t. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- u. allowing said third player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said third player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- v. allowing said fourth player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or third player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said fourth player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram; and,
- w. declaring a winner of said game upon elimination of either of said first, second, third or fourth player's assigned game tokens from said game board wherein said player having the most game tokens remaining on said game board is said winner.
7) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 6 and using the game board as set forth in claim 1, further compromising:
- a. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices;
- b. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, third or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices;
- c. allowing said third player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said third player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices; and,
- d. allowing said fourth player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second or third player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said fourth player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices.
8) A method of two opposing players playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
- a. selecting a first set of game tokens, said first set comprising ten individual game tokens;
- b. assigning said first set of game tokens to a first player;
- c. selecting a second set of game tokens, said second set also comprising ten individual game tokens and wherein the game tokens of the first set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said second set;
- d. assigning said second set of game tokens to a second player;
- e. said first player initiating play by selecting a game token from said assigned first set of game tokens for strategic placement at any open vertice upon said game board;
- f. said second player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned second set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- g. alternating turns between said first and second players for continued strategic placement of respective assigned game tokens upon said game board;
- h. allowing said first player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- i. allowing said second player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- j. continuing play of game by allowing each of said players to alternate strategic movement of said assigned game tokens on said game board to open adjacent vertices during said player's turn;
- k. allowing said first player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- l. allowing said second player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram; and,
- m. declaring a winner of said game upon elimination of either of said first or second player's assigned game tokens from said game board where said player with less than three of said player's assigned game tokens remaining on said game board is said winner.
9) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 8 using the game board of claim 1 and further comprising:
- a. allowing said first player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said first player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices; and,
- b. allowing said second player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said second player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices.
10) A method of four opposing players playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 1 comprising:
- a. selecting a first set of game tokens, said first set comprising five individual game tokens;
- b. assigning said first set of game tokens to a first player;
- c. selecting a second set of game tokens, said second set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said second set;
- d. assigning said second set of game tokens to a second player;
- e. selecting a third set of game tokens, said third set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first and second set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said third set;
- f. assigning said third set of game tokens to a third player;
- g. selecting a fourth set of game tokens, said fourth set also comprising five individual game tokens and wherein said game tokens of said first, second and third set are distinguishable from said game tokens of said fourth set;
- h. assigning said fourth set of game tokens to a fourth player;
- i. said first player initiating play by selecting a game token from said assigned first set of game tokens for strategic placement at any open vertice upon said game board;
- j. said second player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned second set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- k. said third player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned third set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- l. said fourth player continuing play by selecting a game token from said assigned fourth set of game tokens for strategic placement at any other open vertice upon said game board;
- m. cycling turns among said first, second, third and fourth players for continued strategic placement of respective assigned game tokens upon said game board;
- n. allowing any player said player's turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three of said player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- o. continuing play of game by cyclically allowing each of said players strategic movement of said assigned game tokens on said game board to open adjacent vertices during said player's turn;
- p. allowing any player said player's turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three of said player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram; and,
- q. declaring a winner of said game upon elimination of either of said first, second, third or fourth player's assigned game tokens from said game board where said player with less than three of said player's assigned game tokens remaining on said game board is said winner.
11) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 10 using the game board as set forth in claim 1, further comprising allowing any said player during a turn to remove three game tokens assigned to said player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices.
12) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 4 wherein a turn consists of any of the following:
- a. placing of one player's respective game token;
- b. placing of one player's respective game token and removing one of the other player's game tokens;
- c. moving one of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice; and,
- d. moving one move of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice and removing one of the other player's game tokens.
13) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 6 wherein a turn consists of any of the following:
- a. placing of one player's respective game token;
- b. placing of one player's respective game token and removing one of the other player's game tokens;
- c. moving one of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice; and,
- d. moving one move of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice and removing one of the other player's game tokens.
14) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 8 wherein a turn consists of any of the following:
- a. placing of one player's respective game token;
- b. placing of one player's respective game token and removing one of the other player's game tokens;
- c. moving one of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice; and,
- d. moving one move of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice and removing one of the other player's game tokens.
15) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 11 wherein a turn consists of any of the following:
- a. placing of one player's respective game token;
- b. placing of one player's respective game token and removing one of the other player's game tokens;
- c. moving one of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice; and,
- d. moving one move of said player's respective game tokens to an open adjacent vertice and removing one of the other player's game tokens.
16) A method of playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 4 in which the means for engagement of between said game tokens and said game board is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, magnets, adhesives and combinations thereof.
17) A method of playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 6 in which the means for engagement of between said game tokens and said game board is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, magnets, adhesives and combinations thereof.
18) A method of playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 8 in which the means for engagement of between said game tokens and said game board is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, magnets, adhesives and combinations thereof.
19) A method of playing a board game using the game board as set forth in claim 10 in which the means for engagement of between said game tokens and said game board is selected from the group consisting of Velcro, magnets, adhesives and combinations thereof.
20) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 6 and using the game board as set forth in claim 1, further compromising:
- a. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second, third and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- b. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, third and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram;
- c. allowing said third player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said third player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram; and,
- d. allowing said fourth player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second and third player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said fourth player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line or three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram.
21) A method of playing a board game as set forth in claim 6 and using the game board as set forth in claim 1, further compromising:
- a. allowing said first player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said second, third and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said first player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices;
- b. allowing said second player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, third and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said second player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices;
- c. allowing said third player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second and fourth player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said third player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices; and,
- d. allowing said fourth player during a turn to remove a game token assigned to said first, second and third player from said game board upon configuring occupation of three said fourth player assigned game tokens on three vertices of a single connecting line, three vertices of a single side of a parallelogram or any three adjacent vertices.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 1, 2006
Publication Date: Dec 6, 2007
Inventor: Zsuzsanna Farago (Keokuk, IA)
Application Number: 11/444,822