Topographic chess game and method of play

Abstract

A system and method for providing a topographical chess system that can enhance the variety, strategic thinking, and enjoyment of strategic board games. A set of regular, non-topographical, movable chess pieces, a chess board, and at least one topographical chess piece are provided. The at least one topographical chess piece provides a symbolic representation of a topographical feature and acts to provide a barrier or semi-barrier to the movement of at, least one regular non-topographical movable piece, thereby increasing both realism and the number of possible strategic scenarios. The topographical chess piece can represent a tree, mountain, body of water, hill, city or other suitable natural or man-made feature.

1 . A method for providing a topographical chess system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a set of non-topographical, movable chess pieces,   providing a chess board,   further providing at least one topographical chess piece,   and configuring the at least one topographical chess piece such that it provides a symbolic representation of a topographical feature,   wherein each topographical chess piece is capable, when in play, of providing a barrier or semi-barrier to the movement of at least one non-topographical movable chess piece.   
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topographical chess piece symbolically represents one or more mountains. 
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topographical chess piece symbolically represents one or more trees. 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topographical chess piece symbolically represents a natural or man-made obstacle-providing feature. 
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 4 , wherein the obstacle-providing feature is a tree, trees, mountain, mountains, a body of water, a hill, a castle, a city, or a wall. 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the topographical chess piece is comprised of a base portion and a symbolic representation portion,
 and wherein the portion is capable of supporting the symbolic representation portion.   
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 6 , and wherein the base portion is square, rectangular, or circular. 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 6 , and wherein the symbolic representations portion represents a natural or man-made obstacle-providing feature. 
     
     
         9 . A method according  claim 6 , wherein the at least one topographic chess piece can be movable or non-movable,
 and wherein a base portion having a first configuration indicates that the topographical chess piece is movable and a base portion having a second configuration indicates that the topographical chess piece is non-movable.   
     
     
         10 . A method according to  claim 1 , and providing the further step of altering the size of the chess board to increase or decrease the area of play. 
     
     
         11 . A method according to  claim 10 , and providing the further step of altering the size of the chess board from an eight square by eight square board configuration to either increase or decrease thee area of play. 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 11 , wherein the size of the chess board is increased to either a twelve by twelve square board configuration or a ten by ten square board configuration. 
     
     
         13 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one topographic chess piece is movable. 
     
     
         14 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one topographic chess piece is not movable. 
     
     
         15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one topographic chess piece is two or more topographical chess pieces,
 and wherein, the two or more topographical chess pieces are capable of being grouped or aligned to create a larger harrier or semi-barrier.   
     
     
         16 . A method for providing a topographical game system, comprising the steps of:
 providing a set of movable, non-topographical game pieces,   providing a game board,   further providing at least one topographical game piece,   and configuring the at least one topographical game piece such that it provides a symbolic representation of a topographical feature,   wherein each topographical game piece is capable, when in play, of providing a barrier or semi-barrier to the movement of at least one movable non-topographical game piece,   and wherein the game is either chess or checkers.