Board Game and Method of Using

Abstract

A novel board game is provided that allows individuals to play a game that has simple rules, is resolved quickly, and is still enjoyable. The present board game comprises two sets of opposing game pieces, a checkerboard, and a unique deck of forty-seven cards. The players take opposing turns drawing a card and then moving one of their game pieces in one of the cardinal directions a number of squares equal to the number drawn. Players may also draw a “jump” card, which allows that player to vault one of their pieces over an opposing piece. Players get one point for reaching their opponent's back row and another point for completely surrounding one of their opponent's game pieces, thereby removing that piece from the board. The game is over when one player totals five points.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A board game utilizing a checkered game board wherein players take turns drawing cards from a deck and moving their pieces in accordance with the drawn card, comprising:
 a first group of game pieces and a second group of game pieces, wherein said first group and said second group are differentiated;   a game board having an upper surface and lower surface, wherein said upper surface has a checkerboard pattern with a grid pattern of alternating rectangles, and wherein said upper surface is substantially planar such that said game pieces can rest thereupon;   a deck of playing cards having a first set of playing cards and a second set of playing cards, each of said playing cards having a first side and a second side, wherein said first set of playing cards display an indicia depicting the word “jump” on said first side and said second set of playing cards display an indicia depicting a numeral on said first side.   
     
     
         2 . The board game of  claim 1 , wherein said first group of game pieces and said second group of game pieces number eight. 
     
     
         3 . The board game of  claim 1 , wherein said checkerboard pattern of said game board is an eight by eight grid. 
     
     
         4 . The board game of  claim 1 , wherein said indicia depict a numeral between one and four on said first side. 
     
     
         5 . The board game of  claim 1 , wherein said first set of playing cards numbers three and said second set of playing cards numbers forty-four. 
     
     
         6 . The method of playing the board game of  claim 1 , comprising:
 aligning said first group and said second group of game pieces on opposing side of a game board;   drawing a playing card from said deck;   moving a game piece a number of unoccupied spaces indicated on said card in a cardinal direction, if said drawn card has indicia depicting a numeral thereon;   moving a game piece over an adjacent space occupied by an opposing game piece to the next unoccupied space, if said drawn card has indicia depicting “jump” thereon;   attributing a game point to the moving player if said moving of said game piece results in said game piece reaching the opponent's back row or an opposing game piece being completely surrounded;   removing a game piece from the game board if said game piece is completely surrounded by opposing game pieces or is on the opponent's back row;   repeating said drawing a playing card, moving a game piece, attributing a game point, and removing a game piece until one player has accumulated a predefined point total.