Adjustable three-dimensional multi-level game play area apparatus and method of play

Abstract

A game apparatus having a generally horizontally disposed base unit used to support or contain a plurality of independently hand movable blocks of one or more colors and two or more heights, for use in the playing of board games, such as chess and checkers or any other game utilizing a user modifiable multiple height three dimensional playing area. The rules and or method of play of any such game may be modified with the use of this apparatus due to the independently mobile, multi height, and potentially multi-colored blocks that make up the playing area and create the topography of the board.

1 . An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatus comprising:
 a base unit having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface of said base unit including a plurality of block support locations; and   a plurality of individual movable blocks configured for being arranged in a user configurable arrangement on said upper surface of said base unit, wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks is configured to fit onto any one of said plurality of blocks support locations, and wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface configured to serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein said top surface is configured to accept a game piece.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks include a height which is different than a height of at least one other of said plurality of individual movable blocks. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said upper surface of said base unit includes two or more vertical dividers and two or more horizontal dividers, wherein said two more vertical dividers and said two more horizontal dividers form a plurality of spaces forming said plurality of blocks support locations. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of individual movable blocks feature a cuboid shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a first quantity of said plurality of individual movable blocks are generally entirely of a first color while a second quantity of said plurality of individual movable blocks are generally entirely of a second color. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of individual movable blocks are in the form of a plurality of different shapes. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of individual movable blocks are constructed to display a first color on a first half of each of said plurality of individual movable blocks, and a second color on a second half of each of said plurality of individual movable blocks, wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks is reversible such that either said first color on said first half or said second color on said second half can form a top surface that serves as a playing surface for a game. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each space on said base unit is labeled in order to assist a user in setting up said game board in a user predetermined configuration. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each space is of uniform size. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base unit is constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of wood, plastic, ceramic and composite material. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said base unit features nine horizontal dividers and nine vertical dividers, wherein said nine horizontal dividers and said nine vertical dividers form sixty four spaces. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said sixty four spaces are identical in shape and size. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus usable as a game board, said apparatus comprising:
 a generally horizontal base unit having an upper surface and a lower surface, said upper surface of said base unit including a plurality of block support locations, said base unit including at least four perimeter members disposed around a perimeter of said upper surface of said base unit,   at least two latching mechanisms located on said at least four perimeter members each of said at least two latching mechanisms operable in one of an engaged or a disengaged position; and   a plurality of individual movable blocks configured for being arranged in a user configurable arrangement on said upper surface of said base unit, wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks is configured to fit onto any one of said plurality of block support locations, wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks include a height which is different than a height of at least one other of said plurality of individual movable blocks, and wherein each of said plurality of individual movable blocks includes a top surface configured to serve as a playing surface for a game, and wherein said top surface is configured to accept a game piece, and wherein said at least two latching mechanisms are configured to securely hold said plurality of individual moving blocks in place on said upper surface of said generally horizontal base unit, such that said plurality of individually movable blocks are not movable when said at least two latching mechanisms are engaged.