Competitive sudoku board game

Abstract

The present invention is a board game. In a preferred embodiment, a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. The game board is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.

1 . A method for playing a board game comprising:
 providing a game board having a plurality of receptacles, the receptacles aligned in rows and columns, and the receptacles further grouped into a plurality of predetermined regions;   providing a plurality of markers, one for each receptacle, for placing into the receptacles of the game board, wherein the markers comprise a plurality of groups of identical markers;   initializing the game board by placing several markers on the game board;   distributing the remaining markers equally among the players; and   placing, in turn, a marker in any vacant receptacle, wherein only one type of distinct marker may be placed in any row, column, or box.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are distinguished by color. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the colors are selected from the following list of colors: clear, white, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and black. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the markers are stones. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein if a player places a marker that completes a row, column, or predetermined region, the player receives an extra turn for each row, column, or box completed. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein if a player places a marker on the game board that is not distinct within its row, column, or box, the marker is removed from the game board, returned to the player, and the player loses a turn. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method is implemented in an electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . A method of playing board game by at least one player comprising:
 providing a game board having eighty one receptacles, the receptacles aligned in nine rows, each row containing nine receptacles, and the playing surface further segmented into nine regions of nine receptacles;   providing eighty one markers for placing into the receptacles of the playing surface, wherein the eighty one markers are comprised of nine distinct groups of nine;   placing by the at least one player in turn a plurality of markers on the game board to initialize game play;   distributing the remaining markers equally among the players; and   placing, in turn, one marker in any vacant receptacle, wherein only one distinct marker may be placed in any row, column, or box.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the markers are distinguished by color. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the colors are selected from the following list of colors: white, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and black. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the markers are stones. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein if a player places a marker that completes a row, column, or predetermined region, the player receives an extra turn for each row, column, or box completed. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein if a player places a marker on the game board that is not distinct within its row, column, or box, the marker is removed from the game board, returned to the player, and the player loses a turn. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein one of each group of distinct markers is placed in a single row, column, or diagonal line to initialize game play. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the game board is initialized by placing a marker in each corner receptacle of the game board, a marker in each receptacle located equidistant from the corners on the periphery of the game board, and one marker in the center receptacle of the game board. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the player who plays the most markers is the winner. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the board game is implemented in an electronic device.