GB2186198A - Strategic game of the chess family - Google Patents

Abstract

A game includes a board with a generally rectangular perimeter having a plurality of contiguously and uniformly distributed, hexagonal playing spaces thereon. Each of the hexagonal spaces includes at least two essentially parallel sides which are oriented such that they are parallel to the sides of the game board which are not occupied by the game's players. The periphery of the game board may be substantially square. Each of the hexagonal playing spaces is identified by one of three color or design indicia. The hexagonal playing spaces having common indicia are positioned in chains or rows which are directionally extended in essentially a linear fashion, parallel to the sides of the game board not occupied by the opposingly positioned players. Two sets of game pieces which are identified by color as belonging to one of two sub-sets are movable about the game board. Each set of game pieces include fifteen game pieces. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Game board apparatus Background of the Invention Field: This invention relates to amusement devices and particularly to games having a game board associated with a plurality of game pieces which are movable upon that game board by opposing players in accordance with pre-established rules. More specifically, this invention is directed to a game board which is used to simulate a confrontation between interstellar or galactic forces in an imaginary universe.

State of the Art: Games utilizing a game board having a plurality of contiguous polygonal playing spaces are well-known. A conventional chess or checker game is probably the most popular of these games. Generally, game boards of this type are planar and have a substantially square periphery. The plane of the game board is typically divided into an arrangement of 64 playing spaces. The playing spaces in these games are usually square in plan view (see Fig. 1). Alternatively, other quadrilateral configurations are utilized. These playing spaces are generally arranged in a series of rows which extend both longitudinally and transversely across the plane of the game board, essentially establishing a playing grid composed of a series of orthogonally arranged rows.Each player is typically granted 16 game pieces bearing a common identifiable indicia at the initiation of the game for use in playing the game.

Many attempts have been made in the past to modify the typical game board so as to provide a more interesting and intriguing gaming environment while also permitting augmented movements for the various game pieces. Of the various configurations which are available for the playing spaces of the game board, the hexagonally configurated playing space has been used in various arrangements or orientations. The hexagonally configurated space provides a six-sided playing space which in turn typically provides six possible directions of egress for any game piece positioned on the hexagonal space (hereinafter "hexagon") at any particular time.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,917,272 issued to Aldea, a game board composed of 58 connected hexagons is disclosed (see Fig. 2). The hexagons are arranged in nine contiguous rows which traverse the plane of the game board and define a generally rectangular perimeter. Aldea suggests a staggering of the rows whereby a longitudinal axis 26 of each individual hexagon is oriented at an angle 29 of approximately 60 to the sides 27 of the game board not occupied by the players of the game. Each hexagon, except those positioned on the periphery of the game board, is "surrounded" or circumscribed by six hexagons, each of which may be visualized as sharing a common side with the surrounded hexagon. The configuration of Aldea provides for the orientation of three hexagons 30 on each side of an axis 28 which axis passes through the center of each circumscribed hexagon 31.Axis 28 is directioned substantially parallel to the sides 32 of the game board which sides 32 are occupied by the two opposing players. Viewed from the perspective of a player situated along side 32A, this arrangement provides three contiguous hexagons 30A from which a movement from the circumscribed hexagon 31 into any of these three hexagons 30A constitutes a movement which includes a directional component which is directed toward the opposing side 32B; i.e., a movement into any of these three hexagons 30A constitutes a "forward" movement of the game piece.

A similar arrangement of hexagons is shown in Jenkins, U.S. Patent No. 3,920,247. Jenkins positions its hexagons within a hexagonally-perimetered configuration. The game pieces are initially positioned within the corner areas of the hexagon.

Beaman, in U.S. Patent No. 1,704,819, adapts a similar configuration to that shown in Jenkins with the exception that the hexagonal game spaces are not contiguous in the sense that adjacent hexagons do not share a common side.

In U.S. Patent No. 3,724,856 to Welch (see Fig. 3), a longitudinal axis 33 of each hexagonal playing space is positioned so as to be directed essentially orthogonal to the sides 34A of the game board which are occupied by the opposing players. In other words, two opposing sides 35 of each hexagonal playing space are oriented essentially parallel to an imaginary line 36 which traverses orthogonally the longitudinal rows 37 of playing spaces of the game board. In contrast to prior game boards, the sides 34B of the Welch game board which are not occupied by players are angulated from the player-occupied sides 34A at an angle which is not 90". The Welch game board is not composed of sides which are positioned perpendicular to each other.

In a recently issued patent, U.S. Patent No.

4,045,030 to Strozewski, a series of hexagonal playing spaces having nonequal sides are oriented such that a longitudinal axis of each hexagon is oriented substantially at 60 to an imaginary line which traverses orthogonally the longitudinal rows of playing spaces on the game board.

In many of the game boards which have been discussed, the playing spaces have been configured such that either two or three differently colored indicia have been applied to the various playing spaces in a preselected pattern or arrangement. In Strozewski, the playing spaces having a common color indicia are arranged in chains which are oriented substan tially at 45Q to the sides of the game board not occupied by the player.

In Welch, in contradistinction to Strozewski, the playing spaces having a common color indicia are arranged in chains which are oriented in directions substantially parallel to an imaginary line 36 which orthogonally traverses the longitudinal rows 37 of the game board.

Aldea adopts a different approach in that the squares which have a color indicia are oriented substantially at one or the other opposing ends of the game board; i.e., the chains of playing spaces having a common color indicia are arranged in linear chains directioned parallel to axis 28, which chains are substantially perpendicular to an imaginary line 25A which traverses orthogonally the longitudinal rows of playing spaces.

The use of various colored playing spaces often functions to facilitate the movements of game pieces which substantially approximate those of a bishop in the game of chess; i.e., the various color chains provide generally for a plurality of angulated directional paths over which the bishop may be moved. Further, the colored playing spaces maintain some order and predictability as to the bishop's movement ability.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure 1 is a plan view of a prior art game board; Figure 2 is a plan view of another prior art game board; Figure 3 is a plan view of a third prior art game board; Figure 4 is a plan view of a game board embodying the present invention; Figure 5 is a plan view of a game board according to Fig. 4 illustrating the placement of the various game pieces on the board at the initiation of the game.The various game pieces are identified by use of the various abbreviations noted in the descriptions of Figs. 6 through 11; Figure 6 is an illustration of a game piece representing a planet (P) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Figure 7 is an illustration of a game piece representing a quasar (Q) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Figure 8 is an illustration of a game piece representing a pulsar (Pu) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Figure 9 is an illustration of a game piece representing a nebula (N) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Figure 10 is an illustration of a game piece representing a black hole (B) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5; Figure 11 is an illustration of a game piece representing a star (S) for use in the game board apparatus shown in Fig. 5;; Figure 12 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a planet (P) thereon; Figure 13 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a quasar (Q) thereon; Figure 14 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a pulsar (Pu) thereon; Figure 15 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a nebula (N) thereon; Figure 16 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a black hole (B) thereon; Figure 17 is a plan view of a game board of Fig. 4 illustrating the movement of a star (S) thereon; Figure 18 is a plan view of a game board of this invention illustrating a first plurality of game pieces arranged in a "Target Out" condition;; Figure 19 is a plan view of a game board of this invention illustrating a second plurality of game pieces arranged in a "Target Out" condition; Figure 20 is a plan view of a game board of this invention illustrating a third plurality of game pieces arranged in a "Target Out" condition; Figure 21 is a plan view of a game board of this invention illustrating a "Star" game piece engendering a "Super Nova" condition; and Figure 22 is a plan view of a game board of this invention illustrating the notation system of the invention.

Description of the Illustrated Embodiments In the form of the present invention chosen for purposes of illustration, Fig. 4 illustrates a game board having seventy-seven (77) hexagonally-configured playing spaces 40. Game board 38 may be viewed as having a generally quadrilateral, and more specifically rectangular, perimeter 39. This characterization of the board's perimeter 39 disregards the indentations associated with individual sides 41 of playing spaces 40 which form the perimeter 39 of the board. Instead, the perimeter 39 characterization as being rectangular, and more specifically square, is based on the general shape defined by the collection of playing spaces 40. Positioned in each corner 43 of the quadrilateral perimeter 39 is a playing space 40.

As shown, each longitudinal row 44 includes nine contiguous hexagonal playing spaces 40. Each of these nine playing spaces 40 are oriented along a longitudinal axis 42.

Each lateral row of hexagonal playing spaces forming the first row adjacent a side 60 of the game board 38 includes nine playing spaces 40. Positioned in an alternate yet simi lar pattern interposed between each pair of longitudinal rows 44 is a longitudinal row 48 of hexagonal spaces 40 wherein each indivi dual row 48 is composed of eight hexagonal playing spaces 40. Each of the eight playing spaces 40 composing each longitudinal row 48 is arranged along a longitudinal axis 47.

The longitudinal axes 42 and 47 are positioned parallel each other.

Although a preferred embodiment includes longitudinal rows 44 having nine playing spaces 40 and longitudinal rows 48 having eight playing spaces 40, the number of playing spaces included within each type of longitudinal row may be varied. Specifically, each longitudinal row 44 typically may include 3X playing spaces 40, while each longitudinal row 48 includes 3X-1 playing spaces 40. X is any odd number greater than two (2).

As shown in Fig. 5, the playing spaces 40 may be configured in the shape of regular hexagons, each playing space 40 including six equally dimensioned sides 50 wherein each side 50A is oriented essentially parallel to a second side 50B of the hexagon. Fig. 5 shows a typical hexagonal playing space 40 which, for purposes of specific description, shall be designated 49. Each hexagon 49 is symmetrical about central longitudinal axis 53 which passes through opposing angles 56 of the hexagon 49. Further, as shown, each hexagonal playing space 49 has two sides, generally 54, which are positioned parallel to sides 57 of the game board 38. Sides 57 are those sides which are not occupied by the game's players during the course of playing the game.

The central longitudinal axis 53 of each hexagon 40 is positioned and directed essentially parallel to sides 57 and orthogonal to each side 60 of the game board 38. Sides 60 are occupied by the game's players during the play of the game.

The hexagonal playing spaces 40 are divided into three distinct sets by use of different colors or other indicia. In a preferred embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, these indicia may include a design, generally 62, a solid colored hexagon, generally 64, and an essentially blank hexagon (i.e., devoid of indicia), generally 66. Each of the hexagonal playing spaces 40 carry one of the three indicated indicia.

Hexagons having a common indicia are arranged along rows or chains 68 which extend along various parallel axes 70. These axes 70 are all directioned essentially parallel to sides 57 of game board 38.

As shown in Fig. 5, two playing spaces 74 are positioned essentially laterally to each circumscribed central hexagon 78. Hexagon 78 is positioned contiguous to hexagons 74 such that each side 79 which is common to both hexagon 78 and a hexagon 74 is oriented substantially parallel to sides 57 of game board 38. A movement of a game piece from the central hexagon 78 into either of hexagons 74 occasions no actual displacement of the game piece in a direction which shall be defined as "forward".

"Forward" for purposes of this disclosure shall be defined as a displacement or movement of a game piece in which the game piece is brought closer to a side 88 which is occupied by the opposing player of the game piece's movant. Two hexagons, generally 90, which are oriented forward of the central hexagon 78, share a respective common side 92 or 94 with the central hexagon 78. Movement into either of hexagons 90 from the central hexagon 78 involves movement or displacement of the game piece toward the opposing side 88, which displacement is designated "forward".

Similarly, hexagons 96, having a respective contiguous or common side 97 with the central hexagon 78, are oriented essentially to the rear of the central hexagon 78 such that a movement of the game piece into either of these hexagons 96 brings the game piece closer to the side 98 occupied by the movant player. This movement or displacement, which brings the game piece closer to the movant player, shall be designated a "rear move ment." At the initiation of the game, the various game pieces are positioned as shown in Fig.

5; i.e., in the first two longitudinal rows 69 of hexagonal playing spaces 40 proximate the sides 88A and 88B of the game board. In the longitudinal row 100 positioned proximate the sides 88 and 98 coupled by the players, and specifically in each end hexagon 102, a nebula (N) game piece 103 is positioned. On each of the hexagonal playing spaces generally designated 104, a black hole (B) game piece 105 is positioned. On each of the playing spaces 106 positioned in the longitudinal rows 100, a pulsar (Pu) game piece 107 is positioned. On each of the playing spaces 108, a quasar 109 is positioned. On the hexagons 111, the most important game piece of the game, a planet (P) 110, is positioned. On each of the second longitudinal rows, generally 113, of the game board, a plurality of game pieces representing stars (S) 112 are positioned.The stars 112 are positioned in groups of two, having a neutral hexagon 114 separating each pair of stars 112.

For purposes of this description, the following notations will be used to describe the various players and configurational sides of the game board: 1. A side 11 5 which is occupied by a first player of the game shall be designated the "positive player side." 2. The side of the game board 88A bordered by a chain of hexagons having design indicia 62 shall be designated the "positive side." 3. The side of the game board 88B bordered by a chain of blank indicia hexagons 66 shall be designated the "negative side." 4. A side 116 which is occupied by a second player of the game shall be designated the "negative player side." Further, the indicia used in identifying each playing space shall be designated as follows: 1. Each hexagon bearing a design indicia 62 shall be designated a "positive hexagon." 2.Each hexagon 64 having a solid color configuration shall be designated a "neutral hexagon." 3. Each hexagon which is devoid of any markings (i.e., hexagons 66) shall be denoted a "negative hexagon." For purposes of the remaining description of this game; i.e., the movements permitted for the various game pieces, together with the objectives and strategy of those movements, the description will be conducted from the perspective of the positive player. It should be understood that the game piece movements, strategy and objectives for the negative player are substantially identical except for the orientational perspective of the negative player.

The same criteria apply to the negative player except as to the direction of movement and the initial placement of his pieces as explained above.

The rules of the game are in many respects similar to those which are applicable to a game of checkers or chess. A player is permitted to move one game piece per turn, with turns being alternate between the negative and positive players. Once a move has been made it cannot be retracted, and at no time is a player permitted to skip his or her turn.

Each of the various types of game pieces has a very distinctive and unique pattern of movement which establishes the value or importance of the piece. Specifically, a piece which has a greater scope or breadth of movement is considered more valuable in the game.

The various pieces are permitted to move about the game board 38, and in the course of the game, eliminate the game pieces of the opposing player from the game board. This elimination is accomplished by movement of the attacking game piece onto a hexagonal playing space 40 which is occupied by a game piece of the opposing player. When this movement occurs, the game piece which initially occupied the space at the beginning of the move is removed from the game. The player-owner of the removed game piece loses the use of the game piece for the remainder of the game. A player is not permitted to move one of his game pieces onto a hexagonal playing space 40 occupied by one of his own pieces. Further, a player is not permitted to move one of his game pieces onto a hexagon 40 occupied by his opponent's planet 110.

Any direct attack on a planet 110 places it in a condition which is designated generally as "Target." A "direct attack" is defined as positioning a game piece such that the opposing plant is positioned within the movement path of that game piece; i.e., on the movant's next turn, the game piece could eliminate the planet 110. The player who achieves this condition announces this fact to his opposing player. As soon as a player's planet is placed in Target, an immediate reply must be made to place it out of Target. These movements may include one of the following: 1. Annihilation of the opposing game piece engendering the target condition.

2. Positioning a game piece having common ownership with the endangered planet so as to preclude the direct attack (i.e., the annihilation) movement by the game piece engendering the target condition.

3. Moving the planet out of the movement path of the attacking opposing game piece.

The planet game piece 1 10 is the most crucial and important piece in the game. It is not subject to being annihilated, though the positioning of a planet 110 such that it is within the attack range of an opposing game piece and further such that the planet cannot move out of the attack range of the opposing piece without being subject to an attack by another opposing piece results in the termination of the game.

The movement of the planet 110 is relatively restricted in that it can only move to a hexagon or playing space 40 which is contiguous to the hexagonal playing space 40 on which it is initially located, i.e., the planet 110 can only move to a playing space 190 which shares a common side 119 with the playing space 192 initially occupied by the planet 110. A planet 110 is not restricted as to the type of hexagonal playing space 40 to which it may move; i.e., it may move into either a positive, neutral or negative hexagonal playing space. The planet 110 cannot move onto any hexagonal playing space 40 which is occupied by a game piece of common ownership.A planet 110 can move to annihilate any game piece of an opposing player which is located within any of the contiguous hexagonal playing spaces to the hexagon on which it is located, with the exception that a planet cannot eliminate an opposing game piece whereupon the placement of the planet on the hexagon formerly occupied by that game piece places it within the attack range of an opposing piece.

As shown in Fig. 13, the game piece designated generally as a quasar 109 enjoys the broadest scope of movement of any game piece in the game. The quasar is permitted to move any number of spaces along either a longitudinal direction, designated generally 120, or along a diagonal direction, designated generally 122; i.e., a quasar 109 is permitted to move across a linear path of contiguous hexagonal playing spaces 40 which may be either longitudinal or diagonal in direction. A quasar's movement along the path is limited only by the presence of another game piece in its path. Quasars are not permitted to move onto, or jump or leap over, any hexagon occupied by a game piece of common ownership.

Further, the quasar is not permitted to leap over a hexagon occupied by an opposing player's game piece. In its movement, a quasar 109 can eliminate any opposing game piece which is positioned within its line of movement by moving into that hexagon and removing the enemy game piece from the game board.

As shown in Fig. 14, the game piece designated generally as a pulsar 107 enjoys one of the most unique movement powers of any game piece on the game board 38. A pulsar 107 can move along any path of either two, four or six hexagons per turn. At the initiation of the game, a pulsar 107 is located on a space which shall be designated an initial hexagonal space 123 which may bear either a negative or positive indicia. In its movement, the pulsar 107 may move along any arrangement of two, four or six contiguous hexagons 40, provided that upon termination of its movement the pulsar 107 is again positioned on a terminal hexagon 124 bearing the same indicia as that of the pulsar's initial hexagonal space 123. At no time during its movement can a pulsar 107 move onto or through a neutral hexagon 64.Furthermore, a pulsar 107 cannot move through or over any hexagon which is occupied by a game piece of common or opposing ownership. As to its powers of annihilation, the pulsar 107 may eliminate any piece positioned on a terminal playing space onto which the pulsar 107 can be moved.

As shown in Fig. 16, a black hole 105 does not move through the side, generally 130, of the contiguous hexagonal playing space 131 to reach its terminal hexagon 132. Instead, a black hole 105 travels essentially along a common side 133 of two proximate or adjacent hexagons 131 to reach a third hexagon, generally designated 140, which is out of contiguous contact with the initial hexagon 135 from which the black hole 105 initiated its movement. A black hole's movement is restricted to those hexagons 40 which are designated as neutral hexagons. As shown in Fig. 16, the movement of a black hole 105 is generally restricted to the six neutral hexagons 132 which are situated generally radially about the initial neutral hexagon 135.Further, the neutral hexagons 132 are those neutral hexagons which are in contiguous contact with the hexagons 131 which are contiguous to the initial hexagon 135 from which the movement of the black hole 105 is initiated. The presence of a game piece on any of the hexagons which are situated contiguous to the initial hexagon (i.e., hexagon 131) does not preclude or proscribe the movement of the black hole to a neutral hexagon 132 located about the perimeter of that collection of six hexagons 131.

As shown in Fig. 15, the game piece designated generally as a nebula 103 is permitted to move along any number of contiguous playing spaces 40 which are arranged in a linear and diagonal path, generally 144.

As shown in Fig. 17, the game piece designated generally as a star 112 is the most restricted in movement of any of the game pieces. A star 112 is only permitted to move forward to a contiguous playing hexagon 40; i.e., to a hexagon 40 which brings it closer to the opposing side 88 of the game board. A star is not permitted to move to a contiguous hexagon 145 which is positioned to the rear or laterally of the hexagon 146 from which the move is initiated. Further, a star 112 is not permitted to move into a hexagon 150 which is designated neutral, except in the event a game piece of the opposing player is located on that neutral hexagon 152 and the movement of the star 112 into the hexagon 152 accomplishes the annihilation of the opposing player's game piece.

Upon a star 112 entering a neutral hexagon 152 for purposes of annihilating an opposing game piece, the star 112 may thereafter be moved onto either one of the two hexagons 40 which are contiguous and forward of the neutral hexagon 152. As shown in Fig. 17, for example, a star 11 2A moves into neutral hexagon 152 annihilating nebula 103. On its next turn movant player may choose to move star 11 2A into either hexagon 206 or hexagon 207.

This results in the star 112 being essentially limited to a forward movement onto a positive or negative hexagon 40 contiguous to the hexagon 146 from which the star 112's movement is initiated. In its first movement from its initial game position hexagon 113, a star 112 is permitted to move across either one or two contiguous hexagons. Thereafter, its movement is limited to one contiguous hexagon per turn. (Example: Fig. 17; Star 112 moves from playing space 146 to playing space 208.) The game is concluded by the occurrence of one of three conditions. The first condition, designated "Target Out," occurs when a planet game piece is positioned on a playing space 137 which is within the movement path 138 of an opposing game piece; i.e., the opposing game piece can be positioned on playing spaces 137 on the next turn of the opposing player.Further, the planet 110 is positioned such that it cannot by a movement avoid being annihilated by the game piece(s) of the opposing player.

Figs. 18 through 20 illustrate three positionings of game pieces wherein a "Target Out" condition has been obtained. These three figures illustrate a planet of one player being attacked by a collection of game pieces of the opposing player. The other game pieces of both players which may be simultaneously positioned at various locations on the game board 38 have not been shown in Figs. 18 through 20 for ease in illustrating the Target Out condition.

Fig. 18 illustrates a Target Out condition wherein a planet 110 is positioned within the movement path 138 of an opposing game piece, nebula 103. Nebula 103A, star 112 and quasar 109 bear an indicia common to nebula 103, which indicia is different from that of planet 110.

The condition of planet 110 being under attack obligates the planet 110's player-owner to either position one of its game pieces within the movement path 138 of nebula 103 (i.e., on the playing space designated Y), eliminate the attacking nebula 103, or move the planet 110 out of the movement path 138. Assuming the first two options are unavailable, the planet 110 would be required to be moved into one of the playing spaces designated T, U, V, W, X or Y. Playing spaces V and Y are within movement path 138 of nebula 103 and are therefore unavailable to circumvent the attack of nebula 103.

The positioning of star 112 places playing spaces V and W within its movement patterns 121, therefore precluding planet 110's movement onto either of those spaces. Playing spaces X and Y are within the movement path 1 25 of quasar 109 and are hence unavailable for occupation by planet 110. Nebula 103A has a movement path 127 which passes through playing spaces T and U and disqualifies those spaces for occupation by planet 110. As may be observed, the space within the movement capabilities of the planet 110 are all within the movement pattern of the oposing game pieces. Therefore, a Target Out condition is obtained, terminating the game in favor of the attacking player.

Fig. 19 illustrates another example of a Target Out condition. Planet 110 is shown surrounded by an opposing quasar 109, nebular 103 and back hole 105. As shown, planet 110 is positioned within the movement path 129 of back hole 105. Assuming the planet's player-owner cannot eliminate the attacking black hole 105, that player must move his planet 110 into one of the surrounding playing spaces D, E, F, G, H and I such that the playing space is not within the movement path of an opposing game piece. As shown, playing spaces G and H are within the movement path 131 of nebula 103 and are hence unavailable for occupation by the planet 110.

Playing spaces D, E, F and I are within the movement paths 133A and 133B of quasar 109 and therefore are also unavailable. Planet 110, having no playing space 40 available to escape the attack of black hole 105, is therefore in a Target Out condition.

Fig. 20 shows a planet 110 in a Target Out condition produced by the attack of an opposing pulsar 107 assisted by an opposing quasar 109, star 112, black hole 105 and nebula 103. Assuming that the planet's player-owner cannot either position a game piece within the movement path 135 of pulsar 107 or alternately eliminate pulsar 107, planet 110 must be moved into one of the surrounding spaces 40 designated J, K, L, M, 0 and Z which are not within the movement paths of an opposing game piece. As shown, spaces K and Z are within the movement path 139 of black hole 105. Spaces J and K are within the movement path 141 of nebula 103. Quasar 109's movement path 143 passes through spaces M and 0. Star 112 has a movement path 145 which includes space L.As a result of the placement of the various opposing game pieces, planet 110 is precluded from moving out of the movement path of the attacking nebula 107 and is therefore in a Target Out condition.

The second condition which concludes the game, designated "Super Nova," is illustrated in Fig. 21. This condition occurs when a player has moved one of his star game pieces 112 across the game board in the direction indicated generally by line 116 whereupon the star reaches the initial row 118 of the opposing player. Another example of a star 112 achieving a "Super Nova" condition is shown by the directional line 209.

The third condition which may conclude the game, designated "Total Annihilation," occurs when a player has effectively removed all of the game pieces of the opposing player with the exception of the planet 110. It must be understood that the planet game piece is not susceptible to being annihilated.

The game does not make a provision for a stalemate or draw; i.e., the game is only terminated by one player winning the confrontation.

Recordation of the game of this invention is facilitated by a notation system wherein each hexagon and game piece is given a specific name or number designation. For each player, each hexagon has two numbers associated with it. The first number specifies the row 153 and the second number indicates an index or specific hexagon within that row 153.

As shown in Fig. 22, each row 153 of the game board is assigned a number 154 which is sequentially assigned as the rows progress from the positive index side 1 56 to the negative index side 1 58. The positive player has a row index 160 which is indicated generally at the left of the game board 162 and the negative player is assigned a row index 164 which is shown at the right of the game board 162.

Within each row 1 53 of hexagonal playing spaces 40, a number 168 is assigned. Each hexagonal space 40 is given a number in a sequential manner going from left to right across each row 153 as shown partially in Fig. 22. A corresponding numbering arrangement is also shown for the negative player. In identifying any specific playing space 40, the row number 154 is first indicated, followed by the individual indexing number 168.

For example, the hexagonal playing space 170 may be indicated by the notation "43" for the positive index, or alternately "66" for the negative index. For the positive player, the designation "43" refers to the hexagon which is third from the left; i.e. the side of the game board identified as "positive skew" in the fourth longitudinal row 172. For the negative player, the designation "66" indicates the hexagon 40 positioned six hexagons from the right; i.e., the side referenced as "negative skew" within the sixth longitudinal row 173.

The game pieces on the first row 98 at the initiation of the game are designated according to their starting position in reference to the planet 110. The notation "positive" is assigned to the game piece if the game piece is positioned to the left of the line 171. Alternately, the notation "negative" is prefixed to the game piece if the piece is located to the right of the line 171. The individual stars 112 in the second row are designated according to the game piece which is directly behind a given star on the first row 98. The black holes 105 and planets 110 are not used for reference purposes in identifying stars 112.

For example, the positive player's star 181 located on 182 would be designated "positive, pulsar, star." Additional abbreviations adopted to indicate various movements and/or actions of the respective pieces are as follows: 1. A dash (-) or negative sign indicates a movement to a certain designated location. In typical usage, this symbol is followed by a numerical identification of the playing space to which the respective game piece is moved.

2. An "x" indicates that the game piece annihilates an opposing game piece.

3. A plus (+) indicates a Target condition.

4. A double plus (++) indicates a double Target condition, wherein a plant is within the attack range of two opposing game pieces.

5. The word "out" indicates a Target Out condition.

To record a move made by a specific game piece, the name or designation of the game piece to be moved is first identified. Particularly, this involves first the identification of the initial position of the game piece with respect to the planet; i.e., whether game piece is on the negative or positive side of the planet (i.e., line 171) in the initial placement of the pieces. The second initial indicates the first letter of the name of the specific game piece; e.g., a black hole would be designated "B," a quasar would be designated "Q." The second piece of information which follows is a dash to indicate a movement from one hexagon 40 to another. The third piece of information serves to describe or indicate the number of the hexagon 40 to which the piece is to be moved. Thus, a typical movement description or recordation might be "PQ-56," which would indicate a movement' of a quasar which was initially positioned on the positive side of the player's planet at the beginning of the game from its prior location to hexagon 56; i.e. the sixth hexagon from the left on the row designated 25.

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustations of the principles of the invention. The description and details thereof are in no way intended to be a restriction or preclusion or any limitation whatsoever upon the scope or claims of this invention. The exact scope and breadth of this invention is solely determined by the claims which follow herein and which set out those features regarded as essential to the invention.

Claims (26)

1. A game apparatus comprising: a game board having a generally rectangular peripheral configuration and defining an arrangement of equilateral, hexagonal playing spaces of substantially uniform size, wherein a longitudinal axis of each playing space is orthogonal to every side of said game board periphery occupied by a player of said game; and two visually distinguishable sets of game pieces dimensioned such that each of said game pieces is receivable within each of said playing spaces.

2. The game apparatus according to Claim 1 wherein said game board has a generally square-shaped peripheral configuration.

3. The game apparatus according to Claim 2 wherein each of said playing spaces has an indicia associated therewith, said indicia being selected from a collection of three preselected designations.

4. The game apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said game board consists of seventy-seven individual playing spaces.

5. The game apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein the game board comprises a series of equilateral hexagonal playing spaces arranged in a configuration as illustrated in Fig.

4.

6. A game apparatus for use by two players, said game apparatus comprising: a game board defining a playing field having a generally square-sided peripheral configuration and having seventy-seven equilateral hexagonal playing spaces arranged in nine rows oriented longitudinal to said playing field, each of said playing spaces being identified with one of three preselected indicia, said indicia being designated positive, neutral and negative, a plurality of said playing spaces having identical indicia being oriented along linear chains, a longitudinal axis of each of said chains being orthogonal to each peripheral side of said game board occupied by a player of said game; two first game pieces representing planets, each of said first game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said first game piece with one of said players;; four second game pieces representing quasars, each of said second game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said second game piece with one of said players; four third game pieces representing pulsars, each of said third game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said third game piece with one of said players; four fourth game pieces representing nebulas, each of said fourth game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said fourth game pieces with one of said players; four fifth game pieces representing black holes, each of said fifth game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said fifth game pieces with one of said players; and twelve sixth game pieces representing stars, each of said sixth game pieces having a single distinguishing color identifying said sixth game pieces with one of said players; and said players taking turns in moving their respective game pieces on said game board from playing space to playing space.

7. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein the initial placement of said game pieces on said game board corresponds to a placement shown in Fig. 5.

8. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein a player wins said game by advancing one of his sixth game pieces representing a star across said game board, thereby positioning said sixth game piece in a playing space adjacent to said game board side proximate an opposing player.

9. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein a player wins said game by removing all of his opponent's said game pieces from said game board with an exception of his opponent's first game piece representing a planet.

10. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said first game pieces is restricted in its game board movement to moving from a first playing space to a second playing space, wherein said second playing space shares a common side with said first playing space.

11. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said second game pieces is permitted in its game board movement to move in one said turn laterally across a plurality of playing spaces constituting a row of said playing spaces.

12. The game apparatus according to Claim 11 wherein each of said second game pieces is permitted to move in a linear diagonal path across a plurality of contiguous playing spaces.

13. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said third game pieces is permitted to move in one turn along a path of even numbered, contiguous playing spaces wherein said third game piece must end said movement on a terminal playing space having indicia thereon identical to indicia on a playing space from which said third game piece initiated its movement.

14. The game apparatus according to Claim 13 wherein said even number of contiguous playing spaces is between one and seven playing spaces.

15. The game apparatus according to Claim 14 wherein none of said contiguous playing spaces may be a playing space having a neutral indicia thereon.

16. The game apparatus according to Claim 15 wherein none of said contiguous playing spaces may, except said terminal playing space, be occupied by another said game piece at the time said movement of said third game piece is executed.

17. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said fourth game pieces is permitted to move in one turn in a linear diagonal path across a plurality of contiguous playing spaces.

18. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said fifth game pieces is permitted to move in one turn from an initial neutral playing space to a terminal neutral playing space where said terminal neutral playing space shares at least two sides in common with playing spaces contiguous to said initial neutral playing space.

19. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein each of said sixth game pieces is permitted to move in one turn from an initial playing space in a diagonal path to a contiguous terminal playing space.

20. The game apparatus according to Claim 1 9 wherein said contiguous terminal playing space may be a neutral playing space only if that neutral playing space is occupied at the time of said movement by a game piece of said opposing player.

21. The game apparatus according to Claim 4 wherein said playing spaces of said game board are arranged in five first lateral rows and four second lateral rows, each of said first lateral rows having nine playing spaces therein and each of said second lateral rows having eight playing spaces therein.

22. The game apparatus according to Claim 21 wherein each of said second lateral rows is positioned between two said first lateral rows.

23. The game apparatus according to Claim 3 wherein said playing spaces of said game board are arranged in a plurality of first lateral rows and a plurality of second lateral rows wherein each first lateral row has 3X number of playing spaces and each second lateral row has 3X-1 number of playing spaces wherein X is any odd number greater than two (2).

24. The game apparatus according to Claim 23 wherein each of said second lateral rows is positioned between two of said first lateral rows.

25. The game apparatus according to Claim 6 wherein a first player wins said game by positioning said first player's game pieces such that a second player's first game piece is within a movement path of at least one of said first player's game pieces and said second player is unable to move said first game piece out of said movement path.

26. The game apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 6, and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in the accompanying drawings.