Improvements in Apparatus for Playing the Game of Chess.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Sept., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 18th June, 1896-Accepted, 18th July, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for Playing the Game of Chess.
I, ALFRED AUGUSTUS HELY, of Stanhope House, Queen's Square Bognor-
on-Sea, in the County of Sussex, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to so construct apparatus for playing the game of
chess that the board and pieces can be distinctly seen from a comparatively long
distance so that the play of the game can be followed by a large number of
spectators.
To carry this invention into effect I construct the board and the pieces to he
played thereon on an enlarged scale and provide means whereby the players can
easily and rapidly move the enlarged pieces over the enlarged squares of the
board.
The board may be made as a table top or the 64 alternate light and dark squares
may be painted on a square of canvas, linen, oil-cloth, or other foldable material
which can be spread on the ground or be laid out in any other convenient
position.
The pieces, which are preferably made of wood, cork or other light material,
are moved by the players by means of a telescopic or other rod or lever having a
forked end for catching up the pieces or engaging rings or projections thereon, or
a spring clip for gripping the pieces, or by means of a lazy-tongs or other suitable
device.
With apparatus such as hereinbefore described the game of chess can be played
in an open or covered arena with the board on the ground or on a table in the
centre, the players occupying elevated seats and the spectators being disposed
amphitheatre-wise around the arena.
Dated this 21st day of September 1895.
F. W. GOLBY,
36 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Patent Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Playing the Game of Chess.
1, ALFRED AUGUSTUS HELY, of Stanhope House, Queen Square, Bognor-
on-Sea, in the County of Sussex, Gentleman do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The object of my invention is to produce apparatus whereby the game of chess
can be played in the presence of a large concourse of eye-witnesses, without any
interference with the players, or inconvenience to the spectators.
This desirable object 1 attain by-
1st. Adequately extending the dimensions, and enlarging the proportions, of the
apparatus, namely, the "Board" and "Pieces," now used in playing the game of

page_text: 2ndly. Providing a suitable mechanical auxiliary, or artificial. extension of the
player's arm & hand, thereby enabling him fully to compass the area of the extended
board, and easily to manipulate the enlarged pieces upon, or off, the same.
According to the arrangements, hereinafter set forth and described, the players
are seated, at the board, upon high-legged, but low backed chairs, and the
spectators upon forms, raised amphitheatre-wise, around the same.
f
To these, my said improvements, I have given the name of "Colossal Chess."
They group themselves under three distinct heads, namely,
I. The Board, hereinafter called the ".
II. The Pieces, or 66 Men," and
"Arena,"
III. The Piece Mover and "Catcher" rod, called The Catcher-wand."
I. The Arena or "Board."-I construct the board (now called the "Arena")
of any suitable substance, or material,—such, for example, as wood, linoleum, oil-
cloth, felt, or other woollen, linen, or cotton fabric-stained, color-woven, printed,
or painted, in sixty four alternate light and dark squares, with a contrasting colored
border surrounding the same.
By reason of its extreme flexibility and lightness (and consequent portability,)
I prefer, for a carpet-arena, a single sheet of block-printed felt, divided into black
and white squares; but, neither in this, nor in any other respect, do I limit
myself to any particular substance, or material, nor to any special designs, or
limits, for the arena.
The colossal dimensions, however, which I recommend for the arena, are, four,
six, eight, and ten feet square, independently of their respective contrasting-colored
borders; which, allowing twenty four inches in width for the eight feet square
size, raises it to twelve feet square.
From two feet six inches to four feet six inches equare, the arena may be
advantageously constructed in the form of a square wooden box, divided into two
sections, externally through the centre, and folding backwards, or forwards, upon
strong hinges; the squares being displayed on the divided lid, and sufficient depth
allowed in the body of the box, to enable it, when closed, to contain its full
complement of pieces.
Another useful variation of the arena, especially in the smaller sizes, is to
construct it as a wooden table-top, placed upon a pedestal, or mounted on legs-or,
even, laid upon a floor, or ground, and covered with a square divided cloth.
Lastly, for outdoor play, the arena may be fashioned from the ground, itself, in
alternate turf and gravel squares.
II. The Pieces, or "Men." These I construct of wood (sycamore and alder
preferred) cork, papier-maché, sheet metal, or other suitable substance, or material,
which combines lightness with adequate stability. When wood is used, I make
the pieces internally hollow, giving them, at the same time, ample standing base.
There are various methods of construction whereby the pieces can be manipulated,
but, without binding myself to any one of them, in particular, I recommend a
suitable clear space being left in each piece, immediately under the head, and
above the body, which I call the neck-whereby the piece may be securely seized
and captured by the "catcher," and easily moved about anywhere, on or off the
arena, without interfering with the other pieces standing on the same.
The proportions of the various pieces are necessarily regulated by the dimensions
of their respective arenas. For example; a four feet square arena will take a
four inch high "pawn" -a six inch "bishop," 9966 rook," and "knight".
'-an eight inch
queen" and a ten inch "king."
66
4
"
‘king.”
66
rook," and "knight'
-a twelve inch "
"
On the other hand, an eight feet square arena will require an eight inch high
pawn "a ten inch " bishop,"
and a fourteen inch "
'queen,'
Although I do not limit myself to these, or any other proportions, for the
colossal pieces, the sizes, given above, have stood the test of practical experience.
III. The "Catcher-wand," or artificial extension of the natural arm & hand.
I make this in the form of a straight, light, and tough bamboo, or other rod,

page_text: 0
milar to a gradually tapering and evenly balanced fishing-rod,-jointed in ceresco
ides, or in detachable sections, according to the extra reach, or length desired.
or an eight feet square arena, the rod is jointed in three sections of three feet
ach-the extra foot, in the total length, being found very convenient for
upporting the strain of the rod under the forearm, when moving the heavier pieces
o or from the longer distances--one joint of such a rod, (armed with its respective
catcher") and combined with the reach of the natural arm & hand, will suffice
for a four feet square arena, and two joints for one of six feet square.
This rod carries, at its extreme end, or point, a wire-cage, called the "catcher,"
resembling a two-pronged fork-opening outwards, and curving upwards, from
its base; each curved line being broken, at about half its length, into a sharp
angle. Thus fitted, the rod becomes, at once, both a perfect piece catcher and
piece deliverer, and now assumes its proper name of "catcher-wand.'
The modus-operandi, simple, as it is effective, is, as follows:
When one of the players desires to move, or remove, a piece, he levels the
catcher-wand at it, and seizing it by the "neck," securely conveys it to its
The combined curved and angular form of the
destination on, or off the arena.
"catcher" prevents the piece from slipping out of the cage accidentally, and
enables the player, at the same time, to "draw" the piece from the farthest limit
of the arena, and safely "land" it at his very feet. This "angling" characteristic
of the catcher-wand is not one of the least of its merits, and claims to popular
favor.
Instead of the catcher cage, the rod may be furnished, at its end, with a curved
hook, whilst the crowns of the pieces' heads may, each, be fitted with an upright
revolving ring-bolt, for the hook to catch in, and move them about the arena,
ad libitum.
In the smaller-sized arenas, "spring-clips," "lazy-tongs," and other such
mechanical auxiliaries may be advantageously used for gripping the pieces, or
drawing, or pushing, the same on or off the arena.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is:
Apparatus for playing the game of chess, comprising a chess board, or arena, of
"men," of enlarged proportions to correspond
extended limits, and pieces, or
35 together with a rod, or lever, or equivalent means, for moving the enlarged pieces
men," over the extended board, or arena, all substantially as herein before set
forth and described, and for the purpose stated.
ог
<
Eighteenth day of June 1896.
ALFRED A. HELI.
ALFRED A. HELI.
ALFRED A. HELI.