Abstract:
A game and method including providing a game board having a plurality of nodes, a source node for each player and a plurality of playing pieces. Each piece has multiple states and represents each state. The game is played by starting the playing pieces via a single starting position, and moving the pieces by each player, in turn, by having one of the player&#39;s pieces act on another of the player&#39;s own pieces, a piece of another player, or an empty node according to its predetermined movement abilities and then removing the acting piece. The player backfills the empty node with another piece linked to the emptied node, and continuing to the player&#39;s source node. Finally a new piece is placed on the source node in any chosen state. Play continues until one player removes a piece from another player&#39;s source node.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a game, more particularly to a strategic board game. Conventional strategic board games, such as checkers and chess, involve two players who move their game pieces across a game board in an attempt to capture or trap the game pieces of the other player. 
   The use of games is known in the prior art. More specifically, games heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
   Board games like Chess, Backgammon, Checkers, and Othello had not been invented for centuries, if not millennia, and all but one person in the world can be beaten by a computer playing Chess. It was therefore desired to create a game as mentally demanding and fulfilling as Chess, in order to meet the test of the ages, and to create a game where the probable outcomes were infinite and so could not be easily mastered by a computer program. 
   In these respects, the game and method of playing the same according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. In the present game, while infinite variability may be impossible, near infinite variation of different probabilistic outcomes may have (or at least probably) been achieved. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The primary object of the present invention is to provide game and method of playing the game. The game and method include providing a game board, the board comprised of a plurality of nodes, providing a source node for each player and providing a plurality of playing pieces, the playing pieces each having a plurality of states, the playing pieces representing each of the states. Each piece has predetermined movement abilities, according to the state of each piece. The game is played by assigning a plurality of distinguishable playing pieces to a plurality of players, positioning the playing pieces on the spaces of the board in a starting position, and moving the pieces by each player, in turn, by having one of the player&#39;s playing pieces act on another of the player&#39;s own pieces, a playing piece of another player, or an empty node according to its predetermined movement abilities as characterized by its current state, and then removing the acting piece. Then the player backfills the empty node with another of the player&#39;s own pieces directly linked to the newly emptied node, and continuing to the player&#39;s source node. Finally, a new piece is placed on the player&#39;s own source node in any state the player chooses. Play continues until one player&#39;s piece is removed from the player&#39;s source node by the other player. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a two-player board of the game of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of the sides of the pieces of the game of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of a four-player board of the game of the present invention. 
       FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a create. 
       FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a change. 
       FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a recruit. 
       FIGS. 7   a - 7   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for an eject. 
       FIGS. 8   a - 8   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a block sacrifice. 
       FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a thrust. 
       FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a reverse change. 
       FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a reverse create. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment of the invention are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. The present invention is generally directed to a board-game. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , the board  10  of the game consists of one Source Node  12   a  and  12   b  for each player joined by a Lattice of Nodes  13  in various patterns. Each player has Pieces  14 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to move around the board  10  via the Nodes  13 . A player can create Pieces  14  from his or her Source Node  12   a  and  12   b.  The Pieces  14  each have six sides  16   a - 16   f.  A player can define the State of the Pieces  14  as symbolized by the sides  16   a - 16   f  of the pieces  14  from the source node  12   a  and  12   b  also. 
   As also shown in  FIG. 1 , the Base Line  20  is the line of nodes  13  immediately in front of the player&#39;s Source Node  12 . The Rear Line  22  is the line of nodes  13  immediately in front of the player&#39;s Base line  20 . The Neutral Line  24  is the line of nodes  13  immediately in front of the player&#39;s Rear Line  22 . The Advance Line  26  is the line of nodes  13  immediately in front of the player&#39;s Neutral Line  24 . The Engage Line  28  is the line of nodes  13  immediately in front of the player&#39;s Advance Line  26 , and also in front of the opponent&#39;s Source Node  12   a,    12   b.    
   A player&#39;s Leg Flank is the line of nodes  13  to the far left of the player&#39;s Source Node  12   a ,  12   b.  A player&#39;s Leg Junction  38  is the line of nodes  13  to the right of the player&#39;s Leg Flank  40 . A player&#39;s Leg Core  36  is the line of nodes  13  to the right of the player&#39;s Leg Junction  38 . A player&#39;s Off Keep  34  is the line of nodes  13  to the right of the player&#39;s Leg Core  36 . A player&#39;s Off Junction  32  is the line of nodes  13  to the right of the player&#39;s Off Core  34 . A player&#39;s Off Flank  30  is the line of nodes  13  to the right of the player&#39;s Off Junction  32 , or the line of nodes to the far right of the player&#39;s Source Node  12   a,    12   b.  As shown in  FIG. 3 , depending on the configuration of the board  10 , there can be multiple Lattices of nodes  13  for different numbers of players. 
   The pieces  14  on the board are all the same but may exist in one of six states. Each state determines how that piece  14  can affect either the player&#39;s own pieces  14  or the opponent&#39;s pieces  14  or any empty nodes  13 . Each Piece  14  can assume any one of six States. The six States and the inherent properties of each State are shown in  FIGS. 2   a - 2   f.  As shown in  FIG. 2   a,  side  16   a  of piece  14  represents the Neutral state (1), meaning that the piece  14  can do nothing. Side  16   b  of piece  14  represents the Create state (2) meaning that the piece  14  creates a new piece  14  on an empty node  13  in the Neutral state (1). Side  16   c  of piece  14  represents the Change state (3), meaning the player may change the player&#39;s own piece  14  to any other state. Side  16   d  of piece  14  represents the Recruit state (4), meaning that the player may change an opponent&#39;s piece, of state (4) or less, to the player&#39;s piece  14  of neutral state (1). Side  16   e  of piece  14  represents the Eject state (5) causing an opponent&#39;s piece  14 , of state (5) or less, to be removed from the board  10 . 
   Side  16   f  of piece  14  represents the Block state (6) meaning the player can “eject” an opponent&#39;s piece  14  of state (6) only. A “state (6) or block state  16   f  can not be affected y an opponent&#39;s piece  14  in a state (5), eject  16   e  or less and so is primarily used as a locking mechanism. 
   These states are summarized in the table below: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               Fig. 
               State# 
               State 
               Acts Upon 
               Result of Action 
               Can not Act Upon 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               16a 
               1 
               Neutral 
               Nothing 
               — 
               Any other Piece or an empty Node 
             
             
               16b 
               2 
               Create 
               Empty Adjacent Node 
               Fills adjacent Node with New Piece 
               Other Pieces or any occupied Nodes 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               in Neutral State 1 
             
             
               16c 
               3 
               Change 
               Player&#39;s own Pieces 
               Changes State of Piece to any other 
               Opponent&#39;s Pieces or an empty node 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
                 
               State 
             
             
               16d 
               4 
               Recruit 
               Opponent&#39;s Pieces in 
               Changes Opponent&#39;s Piece to 
               Any Player&#39;s own Pieces an empty node 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               States ‘4’ or less 
               Player&#39;s Piece in Neutral State 
               or Opponent&#39;s Pieces in States 5 or 6 
             
             
               16e 
               5 
               Eject 
               Opponent&#39;s Pieces in 
               Removes Opponent&#39;s Piece and 
               Any Player&#39;s own Piece, an empty node 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               States ‘5’ or less 
               leaves empty Node 
               or Opponent&#39;s Pieces in State 6 
             
             
               16f 
               6 
               Block 
               Opponents Piece in 
               Sacrifice allows the player to eject 
               Any Player&#39;s own Pieces, an empty node 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               “Block” State 6 using 
               the opponents&#39; “6”using his or her 
               or Opponent&#39;s Pieces in State 1 thru 5 
             
             
                 
                 
                 
               “sacrifice” maneuver 
               own “6” 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The game uses an untraditional means to advance a player&#39;s pieces  14  up the board  10 . Apart from one exception, players progress forward by adding pieces  14  and changing their states to suit their intentions or guard against the opponent&#39;s intentions. There are only two ways for a player to increase the number of his or her pieces  14  on the board. First, by creating new pieces  14  or, second, by recruiting the opponent&#39;s pieces  14 . Each player begins the game with only one piece  14  on their Source Node  12   a  and  12   b.    
   The object of the game is for each player to advance his or her Pieces  14  towards the opponent&#39;s Source Node  12   a,    12   b  and neutralize it by using the different states of his or her Pieces  14 . In the game, the players try to defeat each other by overpowering each others Source Node  12   a,    12   b,  which is the primary, but not the only, source of each player&#39;s pieces  14 . It is a tactical fight that requires strategic thinking to win. The game contains paradox of any battle; victory can not be achieved by standing your ground and any advance may weaken your defense. 
   Each player alternates in taking one turn at a time. A player&#39;s turn consists of three elements: The use and removal of a player&#39;s piece  14 , the backfill process, and the placement of a new piece  14  on the empty source node  12   a,    12   b.  For one turn a player may select any one of his or her Pieces  14  to act on of either his or her Piece  14 , the opponent&#39;s Piece  14  or an immediately adjacent Node  13 , according to the properties of the selected Piece&#39;s  14  State as defined above. The “acting” piece  14  is then removed from the board  10  creating an empty node  13 . 
   The player can then backfill the empty node  13  with another piece  14  directly linked to the newly emptied node  13 , creating the next empty node  13 . The original selected Piece  14  must be linked to the Source Node  12   a,    12   b  by a continuous chain of its own Pieces  14  in order to be used in a turn. The backfilled piece  14  can then be backfilled by another piece  14  on an node  13  immediately adjacent to its original node  13  to fill that empty Node  13 . This process can keep recurring in a continuous trail back to the player&#39;s source node  12   a,    12   b  until the player moves his or her Source Node Piece  12   a,    12   b.  The path of the backfilling process must not touch any node  13  more than once and can only be achieved by using successive nodes  13  in a direction towards the source node  12   a,    12   b  or perpendicular to the direction of play. The line of moved Pieces  14  from the original Piece  14  to the Source Node  12   a,    12   b  must only be perpendicular to the direction of play or move closer to the Source Node  12   a,    12   b.  Therefore, for a player&#39;s piece to be used in a move it has to be connected to the player&#39;s source node by a continuous line of its own pieces. An isolated piece is effectively helpless until a connection can be re-established 
   The player can then put a new piece  14  on the source node  12   a,    12   b  in any state the player chooses. The Source Node  12   a,    12   b  is then filled with a new Piece  14  and can have, with limitations, any state as selected by the player. The player&#39;s turn then ends. The player&#39;s turn is officially over when his or her finger leaves the Piece  14  selected to occupy the Source Node  12   a,    12   b.    
   The thrust move is the only exception to the three elements of a move. The thrust move is a special move, which may be chosen as a players turn. For a thrust move, a player moves one of the pieces  14 , unchanged, into an empty node  13  and the back fill process then occurs. The subsequent empty node  13  left by the piece  14  can be filled by the backfill process described above, except that the move ends on an empty node  13  adjacent to the Source Node  12   a,    12   b.  The player can not move the Source Node piece  14  into that empty node  13  or change the Source Node piece  14  during the thrust move. After a thrust move an additional empty node  13  will be present on the base line. 
   Each Piece  14  in the chain of moved Pieces  14  may only be moved once in each turn. If the Source Node  12   a,    12   b  is the original Piece  14  and has not acted on another piece  14  or Node  13 , it can not remain at its current State and has to change to a different State. Until the Piece  14  on the Source Node  12   a,    12   b  acts on another Piece  14  or Node  13 , it can not repeat any State, which it has had, since the last time it acted upon another Piece  14  or Node  13 . A player begins each game with a Piece  14  at his or her Source Node  12   a,    12   b.  The first move by any player is to select the “Create” State as no other State can do anything without any other Pieces  14  to act upon. 
   The game consists of three phases: build up, engagement and attrition to victory/defeat. The “Build Up” is the initial process of each player filling the board  10  with pieces  14 . “Engagement” begins when the players can interact with each other&#39;s pieces  14 . “Attrition” begins when one or both players are “on his or her heels”. This situation occurs when a player has managed to put a piece of eject state (5) on the opponent&#39;s base line  20 . In this condition, in order to avoid losing, the opponent has to play Block state (6) on its Source Node  12   a,    12   b  every turn, which over time will limit the opponent&#39;s opportunities to fight back as he or she will only be backfilling with pieces of Block state (6). Unless the opponent can put the other player on their heels or remove the Eject state (5), defeat is only a few moves away. If a player only changes the state of the piece  14  on the source node as a turn, the player can not repeat any state until he has moved a piece  14  off the source node  12   a,    12   b  and replaced it with a new piece  14 . 
   A player is eliminated when an opponent neutralizes his or her Source Node  12   a ,  12   b  by Recruiting, state (4) or Ejecting, state (5) the Piece  14  on the player&#39;s Source Node  12   a,    12   b.  If more than two players are playing and a player recruits or places a Piece  14  on another player&#39;s Source Node  12   a,    12   b,  the controlling player is said to occupy the source Node  12   a,    12   b.  The player may then select to use that Source Node  12   a,    12   b  or its original Source Node  12   a,    12   b  in any of its future moves. A player with more than one Source Node  12   a,    12   b  in his or her possession may only use one of its Source Nodes  12   a,    12   b  for each turn. 
   A player wins the game when all other opponents&#39; Source Nodes  12   a,    12   b  are neutralized. 
   The following will describe some sample moves to illustrate the game.  FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a create.  FIG. 4   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 4   b,  player 1 uses a piece  14   a  which was in create state (2) to create a piece  14   b  in neutral state (1) and then piece  14   a  is removed. The node  13   a  is then backfilled with piece  14   c,  and that node is backfilled with piece  14   d  and that node with  14   e  from the source node  12   a.  The player then places piece  14   f  in the source node  12   a.    
     FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a change.  FIG. 5   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 5   b,  player  2  uses a piece  14   a  to change piece  14   b  to Recruit state (4) and then piece  14   a  is removed in  FIG. 5   c.  As the source node  12   b  was the acting piece  14   a,  there is no backfill. As shown in  FIG. 5   d,  the player then places piece  14   c  in the source node  12   b.    
     FIGS. 6   a - 6   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a recruit.  FIG. 6   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 6   b,  player 1 uses a piece  14   a  which was in recruit state (4) to recruit player 2&#39;s piece  14   b.    14   a  is removed, and player 2&#39;s piece  14   b,  becomes player 1&#39;s new piece  14   c.  The node  13   a  is then backfilled with piece  14   d,  and that node is backfilled with piece  14   e.  The player then places piece  14   f  in the source node  12   a.    
     FIGS. 7   a - 7   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a eject.  FIG. 7   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 7   b,  player 2 uses a piece  14   a  which was in eject state (6) to eject player 2&#39;s piece  14   b  in neutral state (1) and then piece  14   b  is removed. The node  13   a  is then backfilled with piece  14   c,  and that node is backfilled with piece  14   c  and that node with  14   d  from the source node  12   b.  The player then places piece  14   e  in the source node  12   a.    
     FIGS. 8   a - 8   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a block sacrifice.  FIG. 8   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 8   b,  player  1  uses a piece  14   a  which was in block state (6) to sacrifice itself to remove a piece  14   b  in block state (6) and then pieces  14   a  and  14   b  are removed. As shown in  FIG. 8   c,  the node  13   a  is then backfilled with piece  14   c  from the source node  12   a.  As shown in  FIG. 8   d,  the player then places piece  14   d  in the source node  12   a.    
     FIGS. 9   a - 9   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a thrust. This is the only move which is an exception to the three elements of a move. The thrust move is a special move, which may be chosen as a players turn.  FIG. 9   a  shows a sample starting position. 
   As shown in  FIG. 9   b,  a player moves one of the pieces  14   a,  unchanged, into an empty node  13   a  and the back fill process then occurs. With a “Thrust” the first selected piece  14   a  chosen by a player can move into an empty node  13 . The subsequent empty node  13   b  left by the piece  14   a  can be filled by the process described above, except that the move ends on an empty node  13   c  adjacent to the Source Node  12   b.  However, the back fill process has to stop somewhere on (but not immediately upon reaching) the player&#39;s “Base Line”. As the backfill process is required to stop at the “base line”, the piece on the source node is not used and therefore can not be replaced during a “Thrust”. The player can not move the Source Node piece  14   d  into that empty node  13   c  or change the Source Node piece  14   d  during a turn that has a “Thrust” move. After a “Thrust” an additional empty node  13   c  will be present on the base line. 
     FIGS. 10   a - 10   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a reverse change.  FIG. 10   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 10   b,  player 1 uses a piece  14   a  to change piece  14   b  to an Eject state (5) and then piece  14   a  is removed. Piece  14   b  backfills the open node  13   a  and then piece  14   c  backfills that open node, and piece  14   d,  from the source node  12   b  backfills that node as shown in  FIG. 10   c.  Then as shown in  FIG. 10   d,  the player then places piece  144  in the source node  12   b.    
     FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  are schematic diagrams of sample moves for a reverse create.  FIG. 1   a  shows a sample starting position. In  FIG. 11   b,  player 1 uses a piece  14   a  which was in create state (2) to create a piece  14   b  in neutral state (1) and then piece  14   a  is removed. The node  13   a  is then backfilled with piece  14   b,  and that node is backfilled with piece  14   c  from the source node  12   b  as shown in  FIG. 11   c.  The player then places piece  14   d  in the source node  12   b.    
   In summary, the distance (i.e. number of between of spaces) between each player&#39;s Source Node  12  decreases as the rows move from the center to the outside. Each player starts with one piece and grows out from a Source Node  12 . The game proceeds with each player trying to neutralize the opponent(s)&#39;s Source Node  12 . Every piece  14  is the same but can assume any one of six states, which affects its properties. All pieces  14  in the game move one space at a time per turn. A turn consists of one piece  14  taking an “action” and any number of the player&#39;s pieces  14  moving behind it. All pieces  14  in the game have a circumstance where they can be changed to assume a different state and properties. Pieces  14  are added to the board  10  nearly every turn. An opponent has the potential to remove or recruit a player&#39;s piece  14  for their own use. For any piece  14  to be played it has to be joined in a continuous line of pieces  14  back to a player&#39;s Source Node  12  and so is dependent on the other pieces  14 . The game at any one stage offers a finite set of outcomes but as there are pieces  14  being constantly added to the board  10 , one piece  14  can change its state each turn and any number of a player&#39;s pieces  14  can change positions, the outcomes will change every turn. The only possibility is for a computer to recognize a winning formation just before or once the “attrition” process begins. 
   The following compares this game to the traditional game of chess. 
   Qualities—Chess vs. Foil 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               CHESS 
               Game of current application 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               There is a set 
               May be applied to many board 
             
             
               board and only two 
               configurations for any number of 
             
             
               players can play. 
               players. 
             
             
               The board is a square 
               The distance (i.e. number of between of 
             
             
               of 8 × 8 places. 
               spaces) between each player&#39;s “Source 
             
             
               The distance between 
               Node” decreases as the rows move from 
             
             
               each player&#39;s 
               the center to the outside. 
             
             
               starting row in 
             
             
               constant across the 
             
             
               board. 
             
             
               Each player has 
               Each player starts with one piece and 
             
             
               standard set number of 
               grows out from a “Source Node”. The 
             
             
               each type of piece 
               game proceeds with each player trying 
             
             
               at the start of the 
               to neutralize the opponent(s)&#39;s “Source 
             
             
               game. The game 
               Node”. 
             
             
               proceeds as a process 
             
             
               of attrition until 
             
             
               one piece - the King - 
             
             
               is irreversibly 
             
             
               trapped. 
             
             
               There are six types 
               Every piece is the same but can assume 
             
             
               of pieces - each with 
               any one of six states, which affects its 
             
             
               different properties. 
               properties. 
             
             
               Each type of piece 
               All pieces in the game move one space 
             
             
               has a unique and 
               at a time per turn. 
             
             
               specific way of 
             
             
               moving round the board 
             
             
               and may, within its 
             
             
               limitations, move 
             
             
               more that one square 
             
             
               at a time 
             
             
               A turn consists of 
               A turn consists of one piece taking an 
             
             
               one piece making one 
               “action” and any number of the player&#39;s 
             
             
               move. 
               pieces moving behind it. 
             
             
               No pieces in Chess 
               All pieces in the game have a 
             
             
               (except a pawn 
               circumstance where they can be 
             
             
               reaching the opponents 
               changed to assume a different state and 
             
             
               starting row) 
               properties. 
             
             
               can change its 
             
             
               properties. 
             
             
               The pieces can only 
               Pieces are added to the board nearly 
             
             
               be removed from 
               every turn. 
             
             
               the board. No pieces 
             
             
               are ever replaced. 
             
             
               (except the pawn 
             
             
               substitution 
             
             
               mentioned above). 
             
             
               Chess only allows 
               An opponent has the potential to remove 
             
             
               pieces to be removed. 
               or recruit a player&#39;s piece for their own 
             
             
               An opponent can not 
               use. 
             
             
               transform a 
             
             
               player&#39;s piece 
             
             
               into one of their own. 
             
             
               All pieces move 
               For any piece to be played it has to be 
             
             
               independently and, 
               joined in a continuous line of pieces 
             
             
               apart from blocking 
               back to a player&#39;s “Source Node” and 
             
             
               the way, are not 
               so is dependent on the other pieces. 
             
             
               dependent on the 
             
             
               other pieces. (An 
             
             
               exception would be 
             
             
               the King “Castling” 
             
             
               with the Rook) 
             
             
               Chess can be played 
               The game at any one stage offers a finite 
             
             
               by a computer by 
               set of outcomes but as there is pieces 
             
             
               projecting several 
               being constantly added to the board, one 
             
             
               moves ahead while 
               piece can change its state each turn and 
             
             
               considering all 
               any number of a player&#39;s pieces can 
             
             
               possibilities and 
               change positions, the outcomes will 
             
             
               picking the option 
               change every turn. The only possibility 
             
             
               with the best out- 
               is for a computer to recognize a winning 
             
             
               comes. As the game 
               formation just before or once the 
             
             
               progresses the number 
               “attrition” process begins. 
             
             
               and selection of 
             
             
               outcomes becomes 
             
             
               smaller and the 
             
             
               computer tends to a 
             
             
               winning outcome for 
             
             
               itself.