US 6,276,687 B1 · Method and apparatus for a game

Abstract

A board game, comprising a game board, a scoreboard, playing pieces, and a playing method and strategy. The game board includes a grid of approximately sixty-four spaces. The game may be played between two players or two teams. The game includes two sets of thirty-two (32) game pieces, each set being a different color with one color for each player/team. The object of the game is for each player, in turn, to place their game pieces on the board within the spaces provided in a manner that forms squares of one color. The spaces between the corners of the squares must be equal but do not have to be filled in to receive points. An additional object is to place game pieces in positions that prevent the opponent from completing squares. The squares may be horizontal or diagonal. Points are won for each square formed of one color, with more points being awarded for larger squares. The point system is preferably based on the number of spaces between the corners of the squares. The points may be multiplied for squares having the sides filled in with game pieces. The player/team with the most points wins at the end of the game. A game may end after no more squares can be made or after a player/team reaches a predetermined point total. Points may be kept by a separate score keeping component such as a scoreboard (i.e., peg board), separate or integral, or automatically if the game is computer based. Alternate embodiments include versions of the game for use while traveling, such as a version wherein the game board and score keeping component are contained on a sheet of paper (wherein multiple sheets may be combined in a pad) to facilitate the playing of the game with writing instruments and a version wherein the game board and playing pieces are connectable by either magnetic attraction and/or peg and hole mating connection.

Claims12

Dependent claims

A method of playing a pattern forming game including the steps of:

(a) providing a playing area including a grid pattern defining a plurality of square spaces thereon;
(b) providing a first set of playing pieces and a second set of playing pieces, said first set of playing pieces having a first distinguishing color and said second set of playing pieces having a second distinguishing color;
(c) assigning said first set of playing pieces to a first player and assigning said second set of playing pieces to a second player;
(d) assigning point values to square patterns which can be formed by placement of playing pieces of one color in said square spaces within said playing area, said point values based on the number of spaces from corner-to-corner along one side of a given square pattern;
(e) said first and second players then taking turns placing their respective playing pieces within said square spaces in an effort to form said square patterns while blocking the completion of square patterns by an opponent;
(f) the game ends when either all of the playing pieces have been played and the accumulated points being totaled to determine the winner or when a predetermined point total has been reached.

3 more elements

A pattern forming game including a game board having a top surface thereof defining a plurality of square spaces configured in a grid pattern, a first set of playing pieces of a first color and a second set of playing pieces of a second color, said pattern forming game played according to a method including the steps of:

(a) assigning said first and second playing pieces to first and second game players respectively;
(b) assigning point values to square patterns which can be formed by placement of said playing pieces in said square spaces on said game board, said square patterns including horizontal and diagonal square patterns, said horizontal and diagonal square patterns including:
basic square patterns worth two points each formed by four playing pieces of one color disposed in adjacent spaces corresponding to the four corners of a square;
open-sided square patterns formed by four playing pieces of one color disposed in spaces corresponding to the four comers of a square;
and closed-sided square patterns formed by a plurality of playing pieces of one color disposed in spaces so as to form a fully enclosed square, said point values for said open-sided and closed-sided squares depending on the number of square spaces from corner-to-corner along one side of a given square pattern, said point values further depending upon whether a square pattern is open-sided or closed-sided;
(c) said first and second players then taking turns placing their respective playing pieces within said square spaces on said game board in an effort to form said square patterns while blocking the completion of square patterns by an opponent;
(d) the game ending when all of the playing pieces have been played and the accumulated points being totaled to determine the winner or when a predetermined point total has been reached.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and apparatus for a game

Life of this patent

Method and apparatus for a game

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims12