Automated game board apparatus

An automated game board apparatus comprising:

• a server comprising a processor and a memory;
• a game board comprising a plurality of segments defined by boundaries;
• and
• a plurality of game pieces configured to, in use, be disposed substantially centrally on the plurality of segments, wherein at least some of the segments and at least some of the game pieces are configured such that, if two adjacent or diagonal segments are occupied by game pieces, another game piece can pass between them;
• the server configured to, on receiving a command from a player involving a selected game piece, determine whether the command is valid in accordance with the rules of the game, and, if the command is valid, determine a path for moving the selected game piece from its origin segment to a destination segment as indicated by the command;
• the server being further configured to determine whether the path is valid, and, if the path is valid:
• cause the apparatus to automatically move the selected game piece from the origin segment to the destination segment;
• wherein, if one or more segments along the path are occupied by other game pieces, the apparatus is configured to move the selected game piece along at least a portion of the boundary of the occupied segment(s),
• wherein, if the destination segment is occupied by an existing game piece, the apparatus is further configured to automatically replace the existing game piece with the selected game piece by moving the existing game piece to substantially the boundary of the destination segment and moving the selected game piece to substantially the centre of the destination segment.