Chessboard with battle zone

Abstract

A chessboard defines a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge, a lateral axis of symmetry bisecting the chessboard into two lateral halves, and a top surface extending between the longitudinal edges, the top surface defining a plurality of chessboard squares. The plurality of chessboard squares defines a plurality of ranks, each rank extending as a single row of chessboard squares from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge. Ranks adjacent to the lateral axis of symmetry define two central ranks that together comprise a battle zone. Chessboard squares located outside of the battle zone define a first color scheme in which the chessboard squares located outside the battle zone alternate between a first color and a second color different from the first color. Chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located within the battle zone define a second color scheme differing from the first color scheme.

That which is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A chessboard defining a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge spaced from the first longitudinal edge, a lateral axis of symmetry bisecting the chessboard into two lateral halves, and a top surface extending between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, the top surface defining a plurality of chessboard squares;
 wherein the plurality of chessboard squares defines a plurality of ranks, each rank extending as a single row of chessboard squares from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge,   wherein ranks adjacent to the lateral axis of symmetry define two central ranks that together comprise a battle zone,   wherein chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located outside of the battle zone define a first color scheme in which the chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located outside the battle zone alternate between a first color and a second color different from the first color, and   wherein chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located within the battle zone define a second color scheme differing from the first color scheme.   
     
     
         2 . The chessboard of  claim 1 , wherein the second color scheme defines chessboard squares that alternate between the first color and a third color different from both the first color and the second color. 
     
     
         3 . The chessboard of  claim 2 , wherein the third color is red. 
     
     
         4 . The chessboard of  claim 1 , wherein the second color scheme defines chessboard squares that alternate between a third color different from both the first color and the second color and a fourth color different from the first color, the second color, and the third color. 
     
     
         5 . The chessboard of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface defines a 10×8 grid of chessboard squares. 
     
     
         6 . The chessboard of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface defines a 8×8 grid of chessboard squares. 
     
     
         7 . A method of playing a chess game, comprising the steps of:
 placing a plurality of chess pieces on a chessboard, wherein the chessboard defines a first longitudinal edge, a second longitudinal edge spaced from the first longitudinal edge, a lateral axis of symmetry bisecting the chessboard into two lateral halves, and a top surface extending between the first longitudinal edge and the second longitudinal edge, the top surface defining a plurality of chessboard squares,
 wherein the plurality of chessboard squares defines a plurality of ranks, each rank extending as a single row of chessboard squares from the first longitudinal edge to the second longitudinal edge, 
 wherein ranks adjacent to the lateral axis of symmetry define two central ranks that together comprise a battle zone, 
 wherein chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located outside of the battle zone define a first color scheme in which the chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located outside the battle zone alternate between a first color and a second color different from the first color, and 
 wherein chessboard squares in the plurality of chessboard squares located within the battle zone define a second color scheme differing from the first color scheme; and 
   moving a capturing chess piece from a first chessboard position located outside the battle zone to a second chessboard position located inside the battle zone to capture an opposing chess piece.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second color scheme defines chessboard squares that alternate between the first color and a third color different from both the first color and the second color 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the third color is red. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second color scheme defines chessboard squares that alternate between a third color different from both the first color and the second color and a fourth color different from the first color, the second color, and the third color. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the top surface defines a 10×8 grid of chessboard squares. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the top surface defines a 8×8 grid of chessboard squares.