Board game

A board game comprises a game board in which a plurality of triangular spaces are defined, within the interior of a hexagon defined by three pairs of parallel sides, by a plurality of straight lines equidistantly spaced from each other and extending in parallel to the three pairs of parallel sides of the hexagon. A central space located substantially at the center of the hexagon and three spaces located immediately adjacent thereto are different in appearance from all the other spaces. The game further comprises at least three sets of pluralities of small play pieces sized and shaped to rest respectively on the individual spaces of the game board. The at least three sets are different in appearance from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a board game in which three or more 
players play a game in which the players cause small pieces different in 
display from each other to rest, in order, on sections or divisions on a 
game board so as to surround the small pieces by pieces identical in 
appearance with each other. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
A game known from Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 2691/1978, 
comprises a board having its surface having applied thereto a figure in 
which an interior of a triangle in the form of a substantially rectangular 
triangle is divided into a plurality of small triangular divisions which 
are similar to the aforesaid triangle and which are identical in size with 
each other, and at least two sets of small pieces which are suited for 
being disposed respectively on the divisions of the figure on the board. 
The two sets are different in color from each other, and each of the two 
sets has a plurality of small pieces. Suitable marks are applied to a 
division located at the central position of the triangle, and to divisions 
located between the central position and the corners. 
The game disclosed in the above Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 
2691/1978 is arranged as follows: the marks on the divisions indicate only 
the central position and the peripheral positions, and a game is played by 
game regulations similar to those of the game of go in which two players 
play the small pieces alternately on the divisions on the board one by 
one, one or more small pieces cut off in way out are removed from the 
surface of the board, and the way cut at each of the corners of the 
triangle is less by one path. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the invention to provide a board game capable of being 
played by a novel game method which does not exist until now. The game is 
played by at least three players, and the game is played on the basis of 
game regulations with sets of small pieces different in display from each 
other rest, in order, on divisions of a game board so as to be surrounded 
by small pieces identical in display with each other, whereby a change is 
given to the arranging condition of the small pieces resting on the 
divisions. The division located substantially at the center, different 
from that of each of other divisions, plays a roll of a common small 
piece, in which the arrangement is such that, when a single division is 
emptied at a location between the plurality of small pieces resting on the 
divisions, the small piece must subsequently rest surely on the empty 
single division, in which the arrangement is such that, when two small 
pieces rest respectively on two divisions located at a corner of a hexagon 
so as to be in contact continuously with two adjacent sides, the two small 
pieces at the corner are not removed from the divisions, even if the two 
small pieces at the corner are surrounded by small pieces different in 
display from the small pieces at the corner. 
A game according to a preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a 
game board in which a plurality of triangular divisions are defined within 
an interior of a hexagon having three pairs of parallel sides, by a 
plurality of straight lines equidistantly spaced from each other and 
extending in parallel to the three pairs of parallel sides of the hexagon, 
and in which a division located substantially at a center of the hexagon 
and three divisions located adjacent the first-mentioned division have 
applied thereto their respective displays, e.g., colors, which are 
different from those of other divisions, and at least three sets of 
pluralities of small pieces capable of resting respectively on the 
divisions of the game board, pieces of each of the at least three sets 
being different in display from those of the other sets. 
Three or more sets of small pieces different in display from each other and 
capable of resting on the divisions rest, in order, respectively on and 
from three divisions, to which displays different from those of other 
divisions are applied, and which are located adjacent the substantially 
central division of the plurality of triangular divisions formed within 
the hexagon of the game board. When the small pieces resting respectively 
on the divisions and different in display from each other are surrounded 
by a plurality of small pieces identical in display with each other, the 
surrounded small pieces are removed from the divisions. The small pieces 
identical in display from the surrounding small pieces rest on the 
divisions from which the small pieces are removed. The division located 
substantially at the center of the hexagon and different in display from 
other divisions plays a roll of a common small piece. 
Further, if a single division is vacated at a location among the plurality 
of small pieces resting on the divisions on the game board, the small 
piece must subsequently rest on the empty single division at the location 
between the two small pieces. If the small pieces rest on the two 
divisions located at the corner of the hexagon so as to be in contact 
continuously with the two adjacent sides, even if the two small pieces are 
surrounded by the small pieces different in display from the aforesaid two 
small pieces and identical in display with each other, the surrounded 
small pieces cannot be removed from the divisions. After all the divisions 
within the hexagon on the game board have been filled up by the small 
pieces, the winner is decided on the basis of the number of the small 
pieces.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a game board 1 in the form of a 
hexagon, whose front face 1a is formed with a figure of a hexagon 5 which 
has three pairs of sides 2 and 2, 3 and 3 and 4 and 4, each pair of sides 
extending in parallel relation to each other. The hexagon 5 has its 
interior which is formed with a plurality of spaces or divisions 7 in the 
form of a regular triangle, by means of a plurality of straight lines 6 
equidistantly spaced from each other and extending in parallel relation to 
the three pairs of sides 2 and 2, 3 and 3 and 4 and 4 of the hexagon 5. If 
the board is formed to have the triangular divisions slightly recessed 
into a play surface the term "spaces" may be regarded as more apt. In 
either case, the spaces or divisions are triangular and receive one play 
piece at a time. See FIGS. 14 and 15. 
As shown in FIG. 2, a central space or division 7a, which is located 
substantially at a center of the hexagon 5, has an interior seen as a 
triangle 8 which has an appearance different from that of all the other 
divisions 7. A display of heavy or thick lines 9 different from other 
divisions 7 is applied to three divisions immediately adjacent the central 
division 7a. 
The game board 1 is made of a material such as paper, wood, synthetic 
resinous material such as plastic or the like, or of metal material. 
An angle defined between the side 2 and the side 3 of the hexagon 5 of the 
game board 1, an angle defined between the side 3 and the side 4, and an 
angle defined between the side 2 and the side 4 are respectively to 
120.degree. each . An angle defined between adjacent sides of each of the 
spaces or divisions 7 within the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 is 
60.degree.. 
In connection with the above, it is possible that the configuration of the 
game board 1 may be chosen to be other than a hexagon. It is preferable 
that the number of the divisions 7 arranged along the sides 2, 3 and 4 of 
the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 is between 12 and 15. It is possible 
that the game board 1 is of collapsible type or of divisible type. 
In connection with the above, the display or appearance which is applied to 
the substantially central division in the hexagon and the three divisions 
adjacent the central division and which is different from those of other 
divisions may be one other than the triangle or the heavy line. The 
triangular divisions formed within the hexagon of the game board may be 
made in the form of recesses. See FIGS. 14 and 15. 
The boardgame comprises the game board, and three or more sets of 
pluralities of small pieces, i.e., game pieces, 10, 11 and 12 (refer to 
FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c)) which are capable of resting on the divisions 7 
of the game board 1 and which are different in display from each other set 
by set. FIGS. 3(d)-3(f) indicate how letters may be used to distinguish 
pieces of different sets, and FIGS. 3(g)-3(i) indicate a similar use of 
distinctive symbols to distinguish pieces of different sets. 
As shown in FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c), each of the small pieces 10, 11 and 
12 of the game plaything are formed into a regular triangle which is 
identical in configuration with the divisions 7 of the game board 1. 
Colors different in display from each other are applied to front faces of 
the respective small pieces 10, 11 and 12. Specifically, display of red 
(denoted by R in the drawings) is applied to the front face of each of the 
small pieces 10. Display of blue (denoted by B in the drawings) is applied 
to the front face of each of the small pieces 11. Display of yellow 
(denoted by Y in the drawings) is applied to the front face of each of the 
small pieces 12. A plurality of small pieces 10, a plurality of small 
pieces 11 and a plurality of small pieces 12, whose respective numbers are 
ones required for playing the game, form their respective sets. 
The small pieces 10, 11 and 12 are made of a material such as paper, wood, 
synthetic resinous material such plastic or the like, or of a metal 
material. 
The division 7a, which displays the triangle 8 and which is located 
substantially at the center of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1, plays a 
roll common to the displays of the respective small pieces 10, 11 and 12. 
The small pieces 10, 11 and 12 do not rest on the division 7a. 
In connection with the above, it will be sufficient that three or more sets 
of small pieces are prepared as a single set whose number corresponds to 
that of the divisions within the hexagon of the game board. It is also 
possible that the displays applied respectively to the front faces of the 
small pieces are differentiated from each other into colors other than 
red, blue and yellow. Alternatively, characters such as numerals, 
alphabets or the like, marks or symbols, or patterns or designs, which are 
different from each other set by set, may be applied respectively to the 
front faces of the small pieces. The configuration of each of the small 
pieces should be one capable of resting on the divisions of the game 
board. If the configuration of each of the small pieces is brought to a 
triangular cone, the small pieces can easily be held by fingers. 
One game method of the embodiment will next be described. 
The game regulations of the game are as follows: 
(1) The players cause their small pieces to rest, in order, on the 
divisions 7 of the hexagon 5 on the game board 1 one by one. 
(2) In the case where the players are three or more, they cause the small 
pieces to rest, in order, on and from the three divisions 7b to which the 
display of the heavy line 9 is applied and which are located adjacent the 
division 7a located substantially at the center of the hexagon 5 on the 
game board 1 and having its interior to which the display of the triangle 
8 is applied. 
(3) The small pieces rest, in order, on the empty divisions 7 on the game 
board 1 so as to be in contact with respective optional sides of the 
divisions 7 of the game board 1, on which the small pieces rest. 
(4) If a small piece resting on the division 7b adjacent the division 7a is 
surrounded by two small pieces which are different in display from the 
small pieces on the divisions 7 adjacent the division 7b and which are 
identical in display with each other, the division 7a plays a roll similar 
to the small pieces of the two displays surrounded by the division 7a, so 
that the three small pieces surround a small piece different in display 
from the three small pieces. Thus, the surrounded one small piece is 
removed from the division 7b. One small piece identical in display with 
the surrounded small piece rests on the division 7b after the one small 
piece has been removed from the division 7b. 
(5) If three sides of one small piece resting on the division 7 of the game 
board 1 are surrounded by three small pieces identical in display with 
each other but different in display from the first-mentioned one small 
piece, the surrounded small piece is removed from the division 7. A small 
piece identical in display with the surrounding three small pieces rests 
on the division 7 after the surrounded small piece has been removed 
therefrom. 
(6) If sides of a plurality of small pieces resting respectively on the 
divisions 7 of the game board 1 are surrounded by a plurality of small 
pieces identical in display with each other but different in display from 
the first-mentioned small pieces, the plurality of surrounded small pieces 
are removed respectively from the divisions 7, and a plurality of small 
pieces identical in display with the surrounding small pieces rest on the 
divisions 7 after the plurality of small pieces have been removed 
therefrom. 
(7) If one division 7 is emptied between two small pieces resting 
respectively on the divisions 7 of the game board 1, the subsequent player 
must surely cause the small piece to rest on the empty one division 7 
between these two small pieces. 
(8) If two sides of one small piece in contact with one of the sides 2, 3 
and 4 of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 is surrounded by two small 
pieces identical in display with each other but different in display from 
the aforesaid one small piece, the surrounded one small piece is removed 
from the division 7. One small piece identical in display with the 
surrounding small pieces rests on the division 7 after the aforementioned 
one small piece has been removed therefrom. 
(9) Even if two small pieces 10, which rest respectively on two divisions 7 
located at the corner of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 so as to be in 
contact continuously with any two sides of the sides 2, 3 and 4 of the 
hexagon 5, are surrounded by two small pieces identical in display with 
each other but different in display from the first-mentioned two small 
pieces, it is impossible to remove the surrounded two small pieces 
respectively from the divisions 7. 
(10) Even if a plurality of small pieces resting respectively on the 
divisions 7 of the game board 1 are surrounded by a plurality of small 
pieces identical in display with each other but different in display from 
the first-mentioned small pieces, it is impossible to remove the plurality 
of surrounded small pieces respectively from the divisions 7, if there is 
or are a empty division 7 or divisions 7 at the interior surrounded by 
small pieces identical in display with each other. 
(11) If all the divisions 7 within the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 are 
filled up by the small pieces, the issue is decided on the basis of the 
number of a difference between the small pieces remaining at hand of the 
players and the small pieces removed from the divisions. 
For example, in the case where three players play a game, a plurality of 
red small pieces 10, a plurality of blue small pieces 11 and a plurality 
of yellow small pieces 12 are first distributed respectively to the three 
players color by color. The order of the game is decided. The game starts. 
First, as shown in FIG. 4, the players cause one red small piece 10, one 
blue small piece 11 and one yellow small piece 12, which are different in 
display from each other, to rest, in order, respectively on three 
divisions 7b to which the display of the heavy line 9 is applied and which 
are located adjacent the division 7a which is located substantially at the 
center of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 and which has its interior 
having applied thereto the display of the triangle 8. After the division 
7a has been surrounded by the three small pieces 10, 11 and 12, the 
players cause the small pieces 10, 11 and 12 to rest, in order, on the 
empty divisions 7 so as to be in contact with one side of any optional one 
of the small pieces 10, 11 and 12 which rest respectively on the 
divisions. 
As shown in FIG. 5a, if two sides of one yellow small piece 12, which rests 
on the division 7b adjacent the division 7a which is located substantially 
at the center of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 and which has its 
interior having applied thereto the display of the triangle 8, are 
surrounded by two red small pieces 10, the division 7a plays a roll 
similar to the red small pieces 10 surrounding the yellow small piece 12. 
Thus, three red small pieces 10 surround one yellow small piece 12. The 
surrounded yellow small piece 12 is removed from the division 7b. As shown 
in FIG. 5b, one red small piece 10 rests on the division 7b after the 
yellow small piece 12 has been removed therefrom. 
As shown in FIG. 6a, three sides of one blue small piece 11 resting on the 
division 7 of the game board 1 are surrounded by three red small pieces 
10, the blue small piece 11 is removed from the division 7. As shown in 
FIG. 6b, one red small piece 10 rests on the division 7 after the blue 
small piece 11 has been removed therefrom. 
As shown in FIG. 7a, four sides of the blue small piece 11 and the yellow 
small piece 12, which rest respectively on the divisions 7 of the game 
board 1 and which are located adjacent each other, are surrounded by four 
red small pieces 10, the blue small piece 11 and the yellow small piece 12 
are removed respectively from the divisions 7. As shown in FIG. 7b, two 
red small pieces 10 rest respectively on the divisions 7 after the blue 
small piece 11 and the yellow small piece 12 have been removed therefrom. 
As shown in FIG. 8a, if one division 7 is emptied at a location between the 
red small piece 10 and the blue small piece 11, which rest respectively on 
the divisions 7 of the game board 1, the subsequent player (i.e., the one 
playing the yellow pieces) must cause the yellow small piece 12 to rest on 
the one division 7 located between the red small piece 10 and the blue 
small piece 11, as shown in FIG. 8b. 
As shown in FIG. 9a, if two sides of the blue small piece 11, which is in 
contact with the side 2 of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1, are 
surrounded by two red small pieces 10, the blue small piece 11 is removed 
from the division 7. As shown in FIG. 9b, a red small piece 10 rests on 
the division 7 after the blue small piece 11 has been removed therefrom. 
As shown in FIG. 10, if two red small pieces 10 resting respectively on two 
divisions 7 located at the corner of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 are 
in contact continuously with the side 2 and the side 4 of the hexagon 5, 
the two red small pieces 10 cannot be removed respectively from the 
divisions 7, even if the two red small pieces 10 are surrounded by two 
blue small pieces 11. 
As shown in FIG. 11, even if six red small pieces 10 resting respectively 
on the divisions 7 of the game board 1 surround two blue small pieces 11 
and one yellow small piece 12, the blue small pieces 11 and the yellow 
small piece 12 cannot be removed respectively from the divisions 7, if 
there is or are an empty division 7 or divisions 7 within the interior 
surrounded by the red small pieces 10. 
As shown in FIG. 12, even if two red small pieces in contact with the side 
2 of the game board 1 and three red small pieces 10 resting respectively 
on the divisions 7 surround two blue small pieces 11 and one yellow small 
piece 12, the blue small pieces 11 and the yellow small piece 12 cannot be 
removed respectively from the divisions 7, if there is or are an empty 
division 7 or divisions 7 within the interior surrounded by the red small 
pieces 10. 
After all the divisions 7 within the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 have 
been filled up by the small pieces 10, 11 and 12, the issue is decided on 
the basis of the number of a difference between the small pieces remaining 
at hand of the players and the small pieces removed from the divisions. 
In the case where a game is played by four or more players, as shown in 
FIG. 13, the players cause small pieces different in display from each 
other, for example, red small piece 10, blue small pieces 11, yellow small 
pieces 12, small pieces 13 having their respective front faces having 
applied thereto green displays (denoted by G in the drawing), and small 
pieces 14 having their respective front faces having applied thereto white 
displays (denotes by W in the drawing), to rest, in order, on divisions 7 
adjacent the outside of three divisions 7b which have applied thereto the 
display of the heavy line 9, which are located adjacent the division 7a 
located substantially at the center of the hexagon 5 of the game board 1 
and which have their interior having applied thereto the display of the 
triangle 8. 
In this case, the divisions having applied thereto the display of the heavy 
line 9 are utilized as colors advantageous or favorable to the players 
themselves. 
In connection with the above, if another triangle different in display is 
applied to the interior of the hexagon of the game board, it is also 
possible to play a game on the basis of another game regulations.