Board game using deformable game pieces

Abstract

A game ( 10 ) includes a playing surface ( 12 ), a first set ( 14 ) of game pieces ( 18 A-E) and a second set ( 16 ) of game pieces ( 20 A-E). The playing surface ( 12 ) includes a plurality of positions. The first set ( 14 ) of game pieces ( 18 A-E) includes a movable first game piece ( 18 A) that occupies one of the positions and the second set ( 16 ) of game pieces ( 20 A-E) includes a movable second game piece ( 20 A) that also occupies one of the positions. The first game piece ( 18 A) and the second game piece ( 20 A) engage each other when the game pieces ( 18 A, 20 A) simultaneously occupy the same position. When engaged, the game pieces ( 18 A, 20 A) are moved relative to the each other by one or more of the players to cause a deformation in one of the game pieces ( 18 A, 20 A). The deformed game piece is removed from the game 10 . In one embodiment, the game pieces ( 18 A-E, 20 A-E) of each set ( 14, 16 ) can move in a distinct pattern from one another on the playing surface ( 12 ). Further, in one embodiment, the game pieces ( 18 A-E, 20 A-E) can be break-off keys.

1 - 17 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising the step of removing the deformed game piece from the game.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of engaging the game pieces occurs when the first game piece occupies the same designated position as the second game piece.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the game is played by a first player and a second player, and wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes the first player and the second player moving the engaged game pieces to cause the deformation in one of the game pieces.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes rotating one of the engaged game pieces relative to the other engaged game piece.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the step of moving the first game piece includes providing a first break-off key, and the step of moving the second game piece includes providing a second break-off key.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 44  further comprising the steps of the first player providing a first set of game pieces that includes the first deformable game piece and the second player providing a second set of game pieces that includes the second deformable game piece.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of providing a first set of game pieces includes selecting one of the game pieces of the first set to be a first king, and wherein the step of providing a second set of game pieces includes selecting one of the game pieces of the second set to be a second king.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24  further comprising the steps of arranging the game pieces from the first set on the playing surface and arranging the game pieces from the second set on the playing surface.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25  further comprising the step of the alternately moving one of the game pieces from the first set and moving one of the game pieces from the second set.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26  further comprising the step of engaging one of the pieces from the first set with one of the pieces from the second set whenever one game piece from each set occupies the same designated position on the playing surface.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising the step of the first player winning the game by engaging and deforming the second king with one of the game pieces from the first set.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of providing the first set of game pieces includes providing game pieces that each has a specific pattern of movement.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the step of providing the second set of game pieces includes providing game pieces that each has a specific pattern of movement.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of providing a first set of game pieces includes providing five game pieces, and wherein the step of providing the second set of game pieces includes providing five game pieces.  
   
   
       32 . (Canceled)  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 56  further comprising the step of removing the deformed break-off key from the game.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of engaging the break-off keys occurs when the first break-off key occupies the same position as the second break-off key.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the step of moving the engaged break-off keys includes two of the players moving the engaged break-off keys to cause the deformation in one of the break-off keys.  
   
   
       36 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the step of moving the engaged break-off keys includes rotating one of the engaged break-off keys relative to the other engaged break-off key.  
   
   
       37 . The method of  claim 56  further comprising the steps of the first player providing a first set of break-off keys that includes the first break-off key and the second player providing a second set of break-off keys that includes the second break-off key.  
   
   
       38 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of providing a first set of break-off keys includes selecting one of the break-off keys of the first set to be a first king, and wherein the step of providing a second set of break-off keys includes selecting one of the break-off keys of the second set to be a second king.  
   
   
       39 . The method of  claim 38  further comprising the steps of arranging the break-off keys from the first set on the playing surface and arranging the break-off keys from the second set along the playing surface.  
   
   
       40 . The method of  claim 39  further comprising the step of the alternately moving one of the break-off keys from the first set and moving one of the break-off keys from the second set.  
   
   
       41 . The method of  claim 40  further comprising the step of engaging one of the pieces from the first set with one of the pieces from the second set whenever one break-off key from each set occupies the same position on the playing surface.  
   
   
       42 . The method of  claim 41  further comprising the step of the first player winning the game by engaging and deforming the second king with one of the break-off keys from the first set.  
   
   
       43 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of providing a first set of break-off keys includes providing five break-off keys, and wherein the step of providing the second set of break-off keys includes providing five break-off keys.  
   
   
       44 . A method for playing a game with a first player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 moving a first deformable game piece along a playing surface having a plurality of designated positions;    moving a second deformable game piece along the playing surface;    engaging the first game piece with the second game piece when the game pieces occupy the same designated position as one another on the playing surface; and    moving the engaged game pieces relative to each other to cause a deformation of one of the engaged game pieces.    
   
   
       45 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the step of moving the first deformable game piece includes the playing surface having a central row of designated positions, the central row being centrally positioned on the playing surface.  
   
   
       46 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes causing a temporary deformation of one of the engaged game pieces.  
   
   
       47 . The method of  claim 44  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes causing a permanent deformation of one of the engaged game pieces.  
   
   
       48 . A method for playing a game with a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 the first player providing a set of game pieces that includes a first deformable game piece;    the second player providing a set of game pieces that includes a second deformable game piece;    moving a first deformable game piece along a playing surface having a plurality of designated positions;    moving a second deformable game piece along the playing surface;    engaging the first game piece with the second game piece; and    moving the engaged game pieces relative to each other to cause a deformation in one of the engaged game pieces.    
   
   
       49 . The method of  claim 48  further comprising the step of removing the deformed game piece from the game.  
   
   
       50 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the game is played by a first player and a second player, and wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes the first player and the second player moving the engaged game pieces to cause the deformation in one of the game pieces.  
   
   
       51 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes rotating one of the engaged game pieces relative to the other engaged game piece.  
   
   
       52 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of moving the first game piece includes providing a first break-off key, and the step of moving the second game piece includes providing a second break-off key.  
   
   
       53 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of moving the first deformable game piece includes the playing surface having a central row of designated positions, the central row being centrally positioned on the playing surface.  
   
   
       54 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes causing a temporary deformation of one of the engaged game pieces.  
   
   
       55 . The method of  claim 48  wherein the step of moving the engaged game pieces includes causing a permanent deformation of one of the engaged game pieces.  
   
   
       56 . A method for playing a game with a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first break-off key that moves along a playing surface having a plurality of designated positions;    providing a second break-off key that moves along the playing surface;    engaging the break-off keys when the break-off keys occupy the same designated position as one another on the playing surface; and    moving the break-off keys relative to each other to cause a deformation in one of the break-off keys.    
   
   
       57 . The method of  claim 56  wherein the step of providing a first break-off key includes the playing surface having a central row of designated positions, the central row being centrally positioned on the playing surface.  
   
   
       58 . A method for playing a game with a first player and a second player, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a first set of break-off keys including a first break-off key that moves along a playing surface having a plurality of positions;    providing a second set of break-off keys including a second break-off key that moves along the playing surface;    engaging the break-off keys; and    moving the break-off keys relative to each other to cause a deformation in one of the break-off keys.    
   
   
       59 . The method of  claim 58  further comprising the step of removing the deformed break-off key from the game.  
   
   
       60 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of moving the engaged break-off keys includes rotating one of the engaged break-off keys relative to the other engaged break-off key.  
   
   
       61 . The method of  claim 58  wherein the step of providing a first set of break-off keys includes the playing surface having a central row of designated positions, the central row being centrally positioned on the playing surface.