GB2377185A

GB2377185A - Board game with playing pieces having a concealed value

Info

Publication number: GB2377185A
Application number: GB0113845A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Suresh John Duthie
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-07
Filing date: 2001-06-07
Publication date: 2003-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2021-06-07
Also published as: GB0113845D0; GB2377185B

Abstract

Apparatus for playing a game in accordance with a predetermined set of rules, comprises<BR> ```means for providing a playing area having a plurality of playing zones, and<BR> ```a pair of sets of playing pieces 20 for movement between the playing zones by a pair of opposing players,<BR> ```the playing pieces 20 each displaying a designated hierarchical rank 22, said rank being concealable from a player's opponent during play. In a preferred embodiment, the playing area is a 10 x 10 grid of playing zones arranged as ranks and files. The sets of playing pieces 20 preferably comprise an equal number of playing pieces of any given hierarchical rank. The hierarchical rank 22 of each place is visible to a player but not to his opponent during play.

Description

BOARD GAME The present invention relates to a game, particularly to a board game.

There are many types of board game comprising a playing board and playing pieces. Some such board games have complex rules of play which deter players and make the game unsuitable for example for younger children. Other types of board game tend to be of complex construction which may be expensive to make or have limited scope in maintaining player interest.

An object of the present invention is to provide a board game which is simple to manufacture, which has rules of play which are easy to grasp, and yet which has scope for maintaining player interest for the duration of a game even after repeated playing of the game.

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided an apparatus for playing a game in accordance with a predetermined set of rules, comprising means for providing a playing area comprising a plurality of playing zones, and a pair of sets of playing pieces for movement between the playing zones by a pair of opposing players, the playing pieces each displaying a designated hierarchical rank, said rank being concealable from a player's opponent during play.

Preferably, the means for providing a playing area is

a board. Suitable materials for the board include but are not limited to cardboard, paper, wood, fibreglass, perspex, plastic, fabric or other suitable material. The board may be foldable and/or dismantlable for storage or transit.

The board may alternatively or additionally be magnetic.

The playing pieces may also be magnetic. The means for providing a playing area may be flexible or rigid in construction.

Preferably the playing area has two parallel opposite sides. Preferably it is quadrilateral in shape. More preferably it is square in shape. The playing area preferably comprises a plurality of playing zones arranged in the form of a grid. Preferably the playing zones are square. Preferably the playing zones form a twodimensional array, more preferably a 10 x 10 array. The zones may be arranged as ranks and files. Preferably the playing area comprises ten ranks and ten files.

Alternative arrangements may also be envisaged, for example a grid array having eight ranks and eight files, resembling a chess board, or a 9 x 9,11 x 11,12 x 12 array, etc. Furthermore, the grid array need not have an equal number of ranks and files.

Preferably the game comprises two sets of playing pieces. Preferably, the sets of playing pieces are visually distinct from one another. More preferably, they are of different colours.

Preferably, each set comprises an equal number of playing pieces. More preferably, there are 20 playing pieces in each set. Alternatively, there are 16 playing pieces in each set. Each set of pieces preferably comprises an equal number of pieces of any given hierarchical rank. Preferably, each playing piece bears an indicium identifying its hierarchical rank. The indicium is preferably visible from a limited field of view, such that the hierarchical ranks of each of the pieces of one player are concealed from his opponent, and vice versa.

Preferably, each playing piece within a set is assigned one of twelve possible hierarchical ranks. In a preferred embodiment a set of pieces comprises 8 pieces of lowest rank, a single piece of each of ten successive ranks, and two pieces of a"special"rank.

Whilst the above-described number and distribution of ranks is preferred, alternative arrangements may be envisaged within the scope of the invention. The apparatus for the invention may, for example, include more than one pair of interchangeable sets of playing pieces, each pair of sets having a different number of playing pieces and/or distribution of hierarchical ranks.

The number of playing pieces and/or the number of hierarchical ranks in each set may be varied according to the size of the playing area. The size of board and/or number of playing pieces may thus be varied to alter the

degree of complexity and/or the likely length of time to complete a game. Such modifications might be applicable for example for a children's or a beginners'version of the game.

The apparatus may also include a pair of sets of cards, each set of cards corresponding to a set of playing pieces, each card identifying a playing piece of a designated rank from said set of playing pieces.

Preferably, the game is to be played by two opponents.

The game may also include a referee.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a playing area according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a playing piece according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a plan view of a typical starting arrangement of pieces according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a plan view showing the allowed directions of movement of a playing piece according to the prescribed rules of play.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a playing piece according to another embodiment of the invention.

As shown in Figure 1, in the present preferred

embodiment there is provided a playing board 11 providing a playing area 12 defining a 10 x 10 array of squares 14, each square representing a playing zone. The squares 14 are arranged in ranks 15 denoted by the numerals 1,2, 3 ... 10 and files 16, denoted by letters A, B, C... J.

In the present embodiment the board 11 is rigid and is of cardboard, but any other suitable rigid or flexible material may be used.

An embodiment of a playing piece 20 is shown in Figure 2. The playing piece has a supporting surface 21 contactable with the playing board, enabling the piece 20 to stand in an upright position with the indicium of rank 22 exposed to view on one side of the playing piece. The piece can therefore be oriented such that the indicium of rank is visible to a player but not to an opponent facing the player. In the present embodiment, the playing piece 20 is of moulded plastic, but may alternatively be made from any suitable material or combination of materials, e. g. wood, glass, card, rubber, stone, metal by moulding, extrusion, carving or by any other suitable method of manufacture. The shape of the playing piece is arbitrary, the requirements being that the piece is able to be positioned conveniently on a playing zone such that the indicium 22 is visible to a player but not to his opponent.

Furthermore, the playing pieces in a set belonging to a player must all appear identical and thus indistinguishable

from one another when viewed by an opponent sitting opposite the player.

The present embodiment of the invention comprises two sets of twenty playing pieces for use by a player and an opponent respectively. Each of the twenty pieces within a set carries an indicium 22 identifying a hierarchical rank.

The distribution of ranks amongst the pieces is as follows: 1 x 5-star General 2 x Special agents 1 x 4-star General 1 x 3-star General 1 x 2-star General 1 x Brigadier 1 x Colonel 1 x Major 1 x Captain 1 x Lieutenant 1 x Sergeant 8 x Privates According to the present embodiment of the invention, the 5-star general holds the highest rank, above that of the 4-star general who in turn presides over the 3-star general, as indicated in the above list. The privates hold the lowest rank, below that of the sergeant. The two special agents hold a special rank effectively above that

of all the pieces except the privates. The significance of the ranks will be explained below.

The present embodiment of the invention further includes two packs of cards corresponding to the two sets of playing pieces. Each pack comprises 20 cards, each card bearing on one side the identity of a playing piece.

The game is intended to be played by two opposing players accompanied by a referee. The players position themselves at opposite sides of the board, facing one another, such that neither player may see the ranks of his opponent's pieces.

A set of 20 playing pieces and a corresponding pack of 20 cards is allotted to each player. Firstly, the referee deals to each player four cards from their respective pack.

The four pieces identified by the cards must be discarded by each player from his set of 20 pieces. Alternatively, each set of cards is shuffled before each player withdraws four cards, face down, from his respective set. The four pieces identified by the cards are then discarded from the player's set of pieces. Neither the referee nor the individual players reveal to the opponent the identity of the discarded pieces.

Each player is thus left with 16 remaining pieces with which to commence play. In this respect, each game will differ from the outset since a player will begin every game with a different combination of pieces, said combination

also differing from that of his opponent. The game thus involves an element of luck.

Next, each player arranges his 16 pieces each to occupy a square in one of the first two rows of the board closest to him. The pieces may be arranged in any configuration on the squares according to the player's preference, provided that only one piece occupies any single square. The players sit facing each other so that their respective sets of pieces are positioned at opposite sides of the board, typically as shown in Figure 3. Each piece is oriented such that its rank cannot be seen by the respective player's opponent. The referee assumes a position which enables him to see both players'pieces.

Players each move a single piece in turn. In any turn, a player may move any piece from his own set. Only one piece may be advanced either forwards to an adjacent square"a", sideways to an adjacent square"b"or"c", or backwards to an adjacent square"d"in a given move. The permitted directions of movement are illustrated in Figure 4. All pieces are moved in the same way, regardless of rank or of position on the board. Pieces may not be moved diagonally, and only one piece may occupy a square at any time, except during a challenge, which will be described below.

The object of the game is either to eliminate all of an opponent's pieces, or to advance one piece across the

playing area to the opposite side of the board. The first player to do so wins the game.

Playing pieces are eliminated from the board following a challenge. A player challenges his opponent by advancing one of his own pieces, according to the aboveprescribed rules, onto an adjacent square occupied by an opponent's piece. Without revealing the identity of either of the two pieces, the referee compares their ranks and removes the losing piece or pieces from the board.

The outcome of a challenge is determined by the comparative ranks of the two challenging pieces.

Generally, the piece having the higher rank will win, the order of ranks being as indicated above. For example, a brigadier will displace a captain from the board; a 2-star general will displace a brigadier, and so on. A special agent will displace any other rank from the board, except a private. In the case of a challenge between a special agent and a private, the private will win. In a challenge between two pieces of equal rank, both pieces will be removed from the board.

The game continues with players taking turns alternately, the referee deciding the outcome of each challenge. While neither player can see the identity of his opponent's pieces, he should be able, as the game progresses, to deduce their likely ranks and thus to plan a strategy of attack and defence. The game ends when one

player wins by eliminating all his opponent's pieces or when one of his pieces reaches the opposite side of the board.

Whilst the above-described example sets out typical, preferred features of the invention, variations within the scope of the invention may be envisaged. The military hierarchy of the present embodiment might be replaced by a hierarchy of a different theme, for example by a hierarchy of stock market companies, of wild animals, of children's TV characters, or simply of numerical values, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Variations to the layout and geometry of the playing area might also be envisaged. The playing zones, for example, need not be square but might alternatively be defined by the intersecting lines of a grid pattern.

Figure 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a playing piece according to the invention. The playing piece 20 comprises a face plate 50 bearing an indicium 22, and a base portion 51. The face plate 50 is removably attachable to the base portion by way of a groove 52 in the base portion into which the face plate can be inserted. At the beginning of a game the face plates of each player may be shuffled and dealt out to each player, thereby obviating the need for sets of cards.

In another embodiment, an alternative means other than cards might be employed to eliminate randomly a

predetermined number of playing pieces prior to play.

Alternatively, players may begin with all 20 pieces, or may decide to eliminate an agreed number of pieces of a specified rank or ranks before commencing play.

Alternatively, it might be agreed that one player be handicapped by starting the game with fewer pieces.

The need for a referee might be obviated by use of an electronic means to confirm the outcome of a challenge without revealing the identity of the pieces to the opponents. The game might also be played using a computer, for example using a virtual board and pieces, either against a virtual opponent or between two players via the internet.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for playing a game in accordance with a predetermined set of rules, comprising means for providing a playing area comprising a plurality of playing zones, and a pair of sets of playing pieces for movement between the playing zones by a pair of opposing players, the playing pieces each displaying a designated hierarchical rank, said rank being concealable from a player's opponent during play.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the means for providing a playing area is a board.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the board is foldable and/or dismantlable for storage or transit.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the board is magnetic.
5. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing area has two parallel opposite sides.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing area is quadrilateral in shape.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing area is square in shape.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the playing area comprises a plurality of playing zones arranged in the form of a grid.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims

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wherein the playing zones form a 10 x 10 array.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the zones are arranged as ranks and files.
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the game comprises two sets of playing pieces.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the sets of playing pieces are visually distinct from one another.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each set comprises an equal number of playing pieces.
14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein there are 20 playing pieces in each set.
15. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each set of pieces preferably comprises an equal number of pieces of any given hierarchical rank.
16. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each playing piece bears an indicium identifying its hierarchical rank.
17. Apparatus according to claim 16 wherein the indicium is visible from a limited field of view, such that the hierarchical ranks of each of the pieces of one player are concealed from his opponent, and vice versa.
18. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each playing piece within a set is assigned one of twelve possible hierarchical ranks.

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19. Apparatus according to claim 18 wherein each set of pieces comprises 8 pieces of lowest rank, a single piece of each of ten successive ranks, and two pieces of a"special" rank.
20. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims further including a pair of sets of cards, each set of cards corresponding to a set of playing pieces, each card identifying a playing piece of a designated rank from said set of playing pieces.
21. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.