Improvements in or relating to the Game of Chess or Draughts.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 30th Jan., 1900-Accepted, 3rd Mar., 1900
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or relating to the Game of Chess or Draughts.
I, SAMUEL SIMMINS, Heathfield, Sussex, Manufacturer, do hereby declare the
ature of this invention to be as follows:--
"
This invention consists of improvements in or relating to the game of chess
or draughts. In carrying out my invention, I provide a board having 100 squares,
that is 10 squares upon each side thereof, instead of the ordinary 8 squares. In
the centre of the board I select a required number of squares preferably four,
which are encircled by a marking band, and this is called "the kings sanctuary."
I also designate four squares as forts, and provide four additional pieces which
" and four additional pawns making in all 20 pieces each
I designate "generals
side. The "generals" have certain moves given to them dependent upon the
rules of the game, which may be varied as required. The pieces are placed upon
the required squares on the board according to the rules decided upon. When
the board is employed for draughts, there are 30 active pieces or three rows
of 5 at each opposite side, and the rules are drawn up so as to enable the game
inferior
to be played and the kings crowned, and when they reach the central squares
free from attack by any
are
they are again crowned, and
piece unless a king is within the citadel of the compact squares. Of course it
will be readily understood tliat the rules may be modified as required.
day of December 1899..
E EATON,
E EATON,
Agent for Applicant.
Improvements in or relating to the Game of Chess or Draug
I, SAMUEL SIMMINS, Heathfield, Sussex, Manufacturer, 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:—
"
This invention consists of improvements in or relating to the game of chess
or draughts. In carrying out my invention, I provide a board having 100 squares,
that is 10 squares upon each side thereof instead of the ordinary 8 squares. In
the centre of the board I select a required number of squares preferably four,
which are encircled by a marking band, and this is called "the kings sanctuary."
I also designate four squares as forts, and provide four additional pieces which
I designate "generals" and four additional pawns making in all 20 pieces each
side. The "generals" have certain moves given to them dependent upon the
rules of the game, which may be varied as required. The pieces are placed upon
the required squares on the board according to the rules decided upon. When
enable the game
the board is employed for draughts, there are 30 active pieces or three rows
of 5 at each opposite side, and the rules are drawn up so as
loved and the kings crowned, and when they reached the central squares

page_text: they are again crowned, and
are free from attack by any inferior
piece unless a king is within the citadel of the compact squares. Of course it
will be readily understood that the rules may be modified as required.
For purposes of illustration, I will now refer to the annexed drawings in
which:
Figure 1, is a plan view of a board for applying my game of chess or draughts.
It will be seen that this board has 100 squares instead of 64, the squares being
alternately coloured as in ordinary chess and draught boards. The four central
squares are surrounded by the distinguishing band or mark a, and these squares
form what is called "the kings sanctuary or "citadel.". The squares are
also marked or surrounded by a distinguishing colour or band ƒ and thèse I térm
forts. In the game of chess what are termed generals" are placed upon the
squares and at either end of the board, and the other pieces namely, the
king, queen, bishop and rook or castle are placed upon the squares in the usual
way, the pawns being also placed in the usual way. It will thus be seen that
there are two generals between the king & queen.
In the case of draughts, there are three rows of 5 for each opponent making 30
in all.
I find it convenient to employ the following rules for playing the improved
game of chess:
'
The general may make one move only, in turn, as one part of such combination.
Four pawns are also added to the improved board.
The total number of pieces and pawns is therefore forty.
No alteration is made in the general movements of the pieces and pawns
already existing on the chess board.
The two generals on either (opposing) side are placed between the king and
queen.
The pawns pass right forward irrespective of the sanctuary unless either king
is first installed there when the opposing pawns do not check him.
Pawns are in no sense free from attack.
The out-
The sanctuary is used as common ground until a king gains access.
lying forts are always common to both sides, but these are to be fought for
throughout.
Either king, by every possible means of support that can be given him, will
endeavour to gain the sanctuary.
Neither a king nor any piece, may enter or re-enter in the face of a piece or
pawn that would otherwise place him or it in check, though that opposing piece
may be without the sanctuary.
No piece may enter by crossing the line of attack held by any opposing piece
or pawn that may command one or more unoccupied squares, or points within
the space of the sanctuary--though of necessity such commanding piece or pawn
stands without the sanctuary.
When once gaining the sanctuary (of four central squares) a king is abso-
lutely free from check or checkmate, unless ultimately, he fails to fully dominate
both the sanctuary and the four outlying forts.
!
Consequently no piece of the enemy can then find a resting place within the
sanctuary (or citadel): but any opposing piece may pass through the sanctuary
if there be a clear passage for the said move.
No piece is relieved from the ordinary course of the game until after a king
succeeds in entering, and thus dominating the citadel, when those of his own
colour then present, or thereafter entering the said citadel of four squares.
(while avoiding check as to the points to be occupied by the latter) are abso-
lutely secure from attack, until failing to answer the challenge.
After a king has gained the sanctuary the game will be concluded only when
three other pieces of the same colour (not pawns) have filled up the adjoining
squares, and furthermore, have entirely cleared the four outlying forts of the
enemy.

page_text: The forts; (one at each corner) secure neither the king nor his pieces from
attack.
Any piece (including the king) may sally out for attack, if the player cares to
risk the movement, or may shift its position (in turn) as convenient.
The opposing force should therefore tempt the dominant party to leave the
stronghold for attack; for though only one king and his pieces may dominate
the citadel or sanctuary of four squares, should the king leave these he no longer
protects his retinue, and the opposing king, if well supported, may enter (in the
absence of the other) and claim all the privileges enjoyed by his predecessor.
The king thus entering may not do so in the face of attack, whether from
within or without; neither can any of his retinue enter so as to arrive in check,
or by crossing a line or point of attack located within the citadel.
Any piece entering contrary to this rule is forfeited.
If the player who is challenged to fully dominate the citadel and forts fails
to do so in the fifty moves, and at any time as soon as he has less than three
pieces to support his king, he loses all claim to holding the sanctuary, and has
no safety therein. His opponent's pieces may now attack, and so drive him out.
But at the moment of his losing his "saving piece," the party now forfeiting
his dominant position, may challenge the other to take full possession within
fifty moves. If the latter fails to do this the game will be declared to be drawn,
unless, in the meantime, the other has secured more queens.
At the commencement of the game one party will always have the advantage
of placing his king in safety, and so gaining a decided power over the other.
Nevertheless, the less fortunate player, if in immediate danger of checkmate,
may challenge" the other to fully dominate the sanctuary and forts in fifty
moves.
:-
Thereafter the attacking party must withdraw his attack upon the said king,
and answer the challenge by proceeding to fully dominate the citadel and forts:
He may, however, check the other for the purpose of gaining a point, or move
but, should he, meanwhile inadvertently, checkmate the challenger, the game
will be considered drawn.
The challenge can not be given after checkmate, as that must conclude the
game, irrespective of the sanctuary, in that case. This will seldom occur, with
the extended board, with ordinary watchfulness, in preparing to challenge.
The player, failing to gain the sanctuary, upon securing possession of three
of the outer (corner) forts, may immediately challenge the other to fully dominate
the whole. If he cannot, in the first place, gain three forts, he must do all
in his power to reduce the pieces of the other by flank attacks, principally, and
himself, get more queens.
A drawn game or stalemate will occur under similar conditions to those
relating to the conclusion of the original game, when checkmate is to be carried
out with the extended board, a general being valued at one rook."
The party failing to hold the citadel and forts after being challenged, must
not enter again until after the other may likewise have failed.
With the king's sanctuary a drawn game will result, when it happens that
neither party has sufficient pieces to hold the citadel.
The object of the "challenge" is to keep the game centred upon the sane-
tuary, while also giving the less fortunate player some compensation.
The king dominating the sanctuary may actually check the opposing king,
if the former should move to an adjoining square, seeing the former is himself
absolutely free from attack.
A general is equal in value to a rook.
Finally, it may be resolved by the players to conduct the game for check-
mate only, without taking advantage of the sanctuary: the extended board,
with the generals, creating a vastly increased interest in this fascinating game.
The following rules I find convenient for playing the improved game of
draughts:

page_text: The Rings after crowning Haye
centre.
HOTA DICK to the enclosed space an
The kings as they gain either of the four compact or central squares, are again
crowned, when they are made emperors.
The emperors are free from attack by any inferior piece, unless a king, by
taking one's armies within the citadel of four compact squares.
A king cannot enter the citadel so as to occupy a square commanded by any
other opposing piece-any king so entering will be forfeited.
Either color may enter the citadel, and, as emperors, attack each other
within the enclosed space of eight squares.
A king does not become an emperor by gaining the outlying forts, but after
occupying one of the central squares he is, as an emperor, free to move into
either of the four forts.
A king may not attack an emperor unless the action places him within the
citadel to be crowned as an equal. He cannot take an emperor, and a king and
a pawn at the same move, but will only take the emperor.
But when a pawn and a king stands in due order between the attacking king
and the emperor, he may take both, if he finishes by arriving in the citadel.
If an emperor leave the eight distinct squares, he is reduced to a king if
still on white.
Should an emperor be carried without, by the action of taking a piece on black,
or move out white on black, he is removed from the board, as well as the piece
taken. This move is at discretion.
Emperors may move in any direction within the enclosed space of eight
squares but may take only in the diagonal direction over either black or white.
An emperor is not subject to being "hufted"; all his moves are at discretion.
The game is to be fought out until one colour occupies the two white squares
of the four comprising the citadel, while all the outlying forts are quite clear
of the opposing force; or, if any piece of the latter, occupy any dark squares,
it must be immovable otherwise a prisoner.
If neither party remain strong enough to hold the citadel and dominate the
forts, the game will be declared drawn.
If the pieces on the boat are reduced to small numbers, and the more powerful,
or dominant party, cannot, within a reasonable time, clear either of the white
forts, or block the enemy within, if present on the black squares, he shall be
called upon by the other to do so in forty moves.
Should the party challenged fail to do this, the game will be declared drawn,
unless, in the meantime, the position of the opposing forces become reversed.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is;
1. The new or improved chess board, having 100 squares, with what I term a
citadel or kings sanctuary and forts, delineated or marked in any convenient
manner for the purpose of playing my improved game of chess in combination
with eight extra pieces namely, four generals, and four pawns substantially as
described and illustrated herein and for the purpose set forth.
2. The new or improved draught board having 100 squares with what I term
a citadel or kings sanctuary and forts, delineated or marked in any convenient
manner for the purpose of playing my improved game of draughts in combina-
tion, with 30 active pieces, that is to say, three rows of five for each player, sub-
stantially as described and illustrated herein and for the purpose set forth.
Dated this 22nd day of January 1900.