A New or Improved Game.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application; 26th Nov., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Aug., 1892-Accepted, 8th Oct., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Game.
I, ANNE MARRIOTT WATSON, of Parkins Land, Eastleigh, Southampton, in
the County of Hampshire, Gentlewoman, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:
This invention relates to a new or improved game to be played by two persons,
and to the apparatus for use therefor. The said game, which is to be called "The
Straits," partakes of the nature of a naval engagement-the pieces being repre-
sentations of different vessels of war, and the object of the players being to gain
possession of a certain position by a certain piece.
In carrying my invention into practical effect 1 provide a board, somewhat like
a chess board, having a suitable number of squares so arranged that while the rows
of squares nearest the players are of the full width of the board, those rows towards
the centre of the board are successively reduced in length-by the blocking out of
the end squares of each successive row-until the row midway between the players
consists of three squares only, the centre one of which is considered the commanding
square of the board. It will be seen that this successive narrowing down of the
field of operations forms, as it were, a strait-from which fact the game takes its
name of "The Straits."
The players are each provided with a number of pieces representing different
vessels of war, such as turret-ships, torpedo boats, gun boats, etc., as well' as flag-
ships, of which latter each player has but one piece.
In playing the game the pieces of each player are arranged in given order, the
Flag-ship being surrounded by all the other pieces. Certain definite moves are
given to each piece, and each may be taken by the pieces of the other players,
excepting the flag-ship which cannot be taken, but, like the king in chess, must not
remain in, or move into, check.
The different moves of the various pieces are governed by certain set rules and
regulations.
The object of each player is to get his flag-ship upon the centre square of the
board, when he is supposed to have gained the command of the straits.
CAT
1... 1001
CASTLE SMITH,
"Invention." Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,.
Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE. SPECIFICATION.
A. New or Improved. Game.
I, ANNE MARRIOTT WATSON; of Parkins' Land, Eastleigh, Southampton,. in
the County of Hampshire, Gentlewoman, 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 relates to a new or improved game to be played by two persons
and to the apparatus for use therefor. The said game, which is to be called
"Straits," partakes of the nature of a naval engagement-the pieces being repre-
sentations of different vessels of war, and the object of the players being to gain
possession of a certain position by a certain piece.
In carrying my invention into practical effect I provide a board; somewhat like
a chess board, having a suitable number of squares so arranged that while the rows

page_text: of squares nearest the players are of the full width of the board, those rows towards
the centre of the board are successively reduced in length-by the blocking out of
the end squares of each successive row-until the row, midway between the players
consists of three squares only, the centre one of which is considered the commanding
square of the board. It will be seen that this successive narrowing down of the
field of operations forms, as it were, straits-from which fact the game takes its
name of "Straits."
The players are each provided with a number of pieces representing different
vessels of war, such as turret-ships, torpedo boats, gun boats etc., as well as flag-
ships, of which latter cach player has but one piece.
In playing the game the pieces of each player are arranged in given order, the
"Flag-ship" being surrounded by all the other pieces. Certain definite moves are
given to each piece, and each may be taken by the pieces of the other player;
excepting the flag-ship which cannot be taken, but, like the king in chess, must not
remain in, or move into, check.
The different moves of the various pieces are governed by certain set rules and
regulations.
The object of each player is to get his flag-ship upon the centre square of the
board, when he is supposed to have gained the command of the straits.
And in order that my invention may be more fully understood and carried into
practice, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accom-
panying sheet of drawings, of which
Figure 1 is a plan of the board employed, with the pieces shewn arranged in
their proper position for playing the gaine.
Figures 2 to 5 shew the pieces in plan and elevation.
As shewn at Figure 1 the board is marked out in squares somewhat after the
manner of a chess-board. The board however is not made equal in length and
width there being 11 squares in the length, while there are but 9 squares in the
width. As will be seen on reference to Figure 1, the first three rows at each end
of the board extend the whole width of the same, and on these the pieces are
arranged at the commencement of the game. Beyond these each successive row is
shortened by the removal of one square at each end until the centre row has but
three squares.
"The centre square of this row is herein referred to as the commanding position
upon which each player endeavours to place his principal piece or "Flag-ship."
The spaces at the ends of the five rows of squares are not considered part of the
board inasmuch as no pieces may be placed thereon.
Four varieties of pieces are used of which each player has an equal number.
These are one flag-ship, as shewn at Figure 2; seven turret-ships as shewn at
Figure 3 eight torpedo-boats, as shewn at Figure 5, and three gun-boats, as shewn
at Figure 4.
When the pieces are arranged at the beginning of the game, as shewn at
Figure 1, the flag-ship is placed on the centre square of the back row and
surrounded by the seven turret-ships, so that two lie at each side and three in front
of the same.
The two squares at each end of the back row are occupied by
torpedo-boats as are also two squares on each side of the turret-ships on the second
The three central squares of the third row are occupied by gun-boats.
The rules of the game are as follows:-Each player is provided with 19 pieces
which are arranged as hereinbefore described. For the sake of distinction the
pieces used by each player are of a distinct colour, as is the case with chess and
draughtsmen.
row.
The moves assigned to each piece are as follows:-
The flag-ship (Figure 2). This is the most important piece on the board. It
moves forward, backward, sideways, or diagonally, any number of squares (like the
queen in chess), and takes in the same manner, but it cannot be taken and must not
remain in check or move into check.
The turret-ship-(Figure 3). The turret-ship moves any distance, forward,

page_text: backward, or sideways, but not diagonally, (like the rook in chess) and takes in the
same directions by taking possession of the enemy's square and removing him from
the board.
The torpedo boat-(Figure 5). The torpedo boat moves and takes diagonally
only, (like a bishop in chess). Each torpedo boat consequently remains on the
same colour as the square on which it was placed at first.
The gun boat (Figure 4). The gun boat moves one square at a time in any
direction, but takes only diagonally..
As before stated it is the object of each player to place his flag-ship upon the
centre square of the board, when he is supposed to have obtained command of the
straits and won the game. He may also win the game by checkmating (according
to the rules of chess) the flag-ship of his opponent.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:-
A naval game called "Straits" in which is employed a board bearing a number
of squares, in rows which decrease in length as they approach the centre of the
board, where three squares constitute a row, and a number of pieces representing
ships of war, each having its own particular move; the object of each of the two
players being to gain possession of the central square or to checkmate his opponent's
principal piece or "Flag-ship," substantially as and for the purpose herciubefore
set forth and described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 23rd day of August 1892.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.
CASTLE SMITH,
Invention" Office, 54, Fleet Street, London, E.C.,
Agent for the Applicant.