Game apparatus and method of play for manual or computer application

Abstract

A game apparatus for play by at least two players, having game pieces that are manually placed in at least four slideably mounted, apertured slats, each having at least four apertures for receiving one or more of the game pieces, and a base assembly for slideably mounting the slats, such that the slats can be moved, and the game pieces placed in the apertures, at the option of each of the players who take turns in playing the game. The game pieces are generally grouped in two different colors. The number of slats are generally the same as the number of apertures, and are preferably four or eight in number. The method of play by two players of apparatus involves each of the players taking turns that are selected from two possible moves: placing a game piece in one of the apertures on one of the slats or linearly displacing one of the slats one stop. The game commences with no pieces on the board, and with no home area for determining opening and winning of the game. A winner is determined when a player has a predetermined number of game pieces in a predetermined arrangement, generally four or eight in a row, or in a diamond or other configuration and where the configuration is not a home area. Also included is a virtual game board in which the game is controlled by a computer or group of computers as well as on the Internet.

1 . A game apparatus for play by at least two players, comprising:
 (a) a plurality of manually placeable game pieces;   (b) a gaming surface comprising at least four slideably mounted, apertured slats, each having at least four apertures thereupon for receiving one or more of the game pieces, said gaming surface providing three modes of play: a first mode wherein no gaming pieces are placed on the board at game commencement, a second mode wherein game pieces are added at the option of the players during play, and a third, game over mode wherein one of at least two players' game pieces are configured on said apertured slats in a predetermined arrangement, and wherein said gaming surface is structured such that it lacks home positions in any of said modes for placement of said pieces; and   (c) a base assembly for slideably mounting said slats, such that said slats can be moved, and said game pieces placed in said apertures, at the option of each of said at least two players, in serial, turned order.   
   
   
       2 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of game pieces are grouped into two groups distinguished by each group possessing a different color. 
   
   
       3 . The game apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said slats number in total the same number as said apertures. 
   
   
       4 . The game apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said number is four. 
   
   
       5 . The game apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said number is eight. 
   
   
       6 . A method of playing a game by at least two players on a game apparatus having a game surface comprised of a plurality of apertured slats, slideably mounted in a base assembly such that each of said slats can be moved in a bidirectional, linearly displaceable, sequential, stopwise manner that reassembles the appearance of the game surface, comprising:
 (a) selecting a color specific to each of the players;   (b) wherein each of said players, in serial, turned order, selects a move selected from one of two possible moves, said two possible moves comprising:
 (1) placing a game piece in one of said apertures on one of said slats; and 
 (2) sliding any one of said slatted portions linearly in one of the two bidirectional manners, to the next, sequential stop; 
   (c) repeating step (b) until one of the players has placed a predetermined number of game pieces in a predetermined arrangement, rather than merely moving game pieces from one side of the game surface to the other, and wherein the game commences with no game pieces on said game surface, the game surface lacks a home area for commencement and completion of the game, and the object of the game is to arrange said game pieces in a predetermined arrangement that lacks a home area for completion of the game.   
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the number of slats and number of apertures are the same. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein, the number is four. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the number is eight. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the arrangement is linear. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the arrangement is linear, and the linear number equals the number. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the arrangement is a diamond. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the apparatus is virtual, presented in a computer-assisted manner, and the method is practiced by entering data via a computer. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said presentation involves the Internet. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said computer comprises a touch screen for practicing said method. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein said at least two players practice said method via the Internet.