Board game apparatus and method

摘要

A board game apparatus for playing a strategic and entertaining game. A game board and at least two types of playing pieces are provided. The game board is provided with a playing surface which displays a plurality of interconnected first symbols each of which displays a coded marking. Each coded marking is displayed on at least two first symbols on the game board. A plurality of first playing pieces are provided such that at least one first playing piece displays each code marked on a first symbol. Each of two or more players receives a set of distinguishable second playing pieces for placement on the first pieces he or she possesses on the game board. Each turn each player places at least one first playing piece on the game board at the first symbol of his or her choice marked with that same code. Players seek to position first playing pieces on first symbols sharing common boundaries, thereby creating chains. When a larger chain is connected to a smaller chain, the player possessing the larger chain gains total possession of the new chain. Thus selection of where to build chains, how to expand them and when to take over opponents' chains are key to increasing a player's possession of first symbols. The strategic dimensions can be further increased by providing third playing pieces that can be played on any turn in the place of a first playing piece. Third playing pieces can be positioned at any unoccupied first symbol and are used to block chain formations, as they occupy a first symbol but allow no player to gain possession of that first symbol and thereby connect a chain through it. The game is over when one player, the winner, has his or her second playing pieces positioned on first playing pieces occupying a majority of the first symbols displayed on the game board.