A board game and method of playing the board game are described. The board and pieces are magnetic and waterproof, enabling the game to be played in most human settings. Players of the board game move their pieces around the board and interact with other pieces according to the game rules including attacking other players pieces, removing other player pieces from the playing field, locating neutral pieces, moving neutral pieces, and bringing more pieces into the game. The invention encompasses adapting the board game rules to play the game in a digital format on a computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Systems and techniques for enhancing the physical games with augmented reality is described. A system identifies a characteristic of a physical object that is located on a physical surface. The system obtains, based on the characteristic, information indicative of a rule set for the game and a state of the game based on the characteristic. A game engine is initialized based on the rule set and game state. The game engine generates a subsequent state for the game. The system renders, based on the subsequent state, an augmented reality display that incorporates the physical surface and physical object.

Chess like board game apparatus designed to visualize certain concepts of science, such as chemistry, physics, and math. The board game apparatus features a plurality of sub levels, which includes a black non transparent base level and four transparent sub levels, labeled one through four. Each sub level is arranged into squares of alternating colors creating a four by four row/column array. Combining the squares from all of the sub level there are sixty-four possible playing positions. Looking at the board as four sub levels, the numerical designation for the row/column square on all sub levels are equal, thus the squares corresponding to that numerical value becomes a possible playing position. The bishop, queen and king, utilizes this rule for movement around the board, while vertical height difference between sub levels creates sixteen extra squares for the knight to utilize.

Chess like board game apparatus designed to visualize certain concepts of science, such as chemistry, physics, and math. The board game apparatus features a plurality of sub levels, which includes a black non transparent base level and four transparent sub levels, labeled one through four. Each sub level is arranged into squares of alternating colors creating a four by four row/column array. Combining the squares from all of the sub level there are sixty-four possible playing positions. Looking at the board as four sub levels, the numerical designation for the row/column square on all sub levels are equal, thus the squares corresponding to that numerical value becomes a possible playing position. The bishop, queen and king, utilizes this rule for movement around the board, while vertical height difference between sub levels creates sixteen extra squares for the knight to utilize.

A three-dimensional chess set includes a three-dimensional chess gameboard having a multi-tiered playing surface, and a three-dimensional tray for storing chess playing pieces within the three-dimensional chess gameboard.

A three-dimensional chess set includes a three-dimensional chess gameboard having a multi-tiered playing surface, and a three-dimensional tray for storing chess playing pieces within the three-dimensional chess gameboard.

A game timer, suited in some embodiments as a chess clock, designed to calculate and display minimum average playing speed in moves per unit time over a sequence of one or more time controls based on input for number of moves in each time control, time allotted at the start of each time control, whether or not a delay applies to the moves of a particular time control, and time of the delay. In addition to these inputs, calculation of minimum average playing speed takes into consideration whether a delay comes before or after a move, whether or not a delay constitutes time available in the current time control, shortening of delays by players in the course of a game, and time remaining at the end of a time control. One embodiment estimates playing speed for sudden death over an entire game.

Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for generating an interactive space. One method includes operations for associating a first device to a reference point in 3D space, and for calculating by the first device a position of the first device in the 3D space based on inertial information captured by the first device and utilizing dead reckoning. Further, the method includes operations for capturing images with a camera of the first device, and for identifying locations of one or more static features in the images. The position of the first device is corrected based on the identified locations of the one or more static features, and a view of an interactive scene is presented in a display of the first device, where the interactive scene is tied to the reference point and includes virtual objects.

Methods, systems, and computer programs are provided for generating an interactive space. One method includes operations for associating a first device to a reference point in 3D space, and for calculating by the first device a position of the first device in the 3D space based on inertial information captured by the first device and utilizing dead reckoning. Further, the method includes operations for capturing images with a camera of the first device, and for identifying locations of one or more static features in the images. The position of the first device is corrected based on the identified locations of the one or more static features, and a view of an interactive scene is presented in a display of the first device, where the interactive scene is tied to the reference point and includes virtual objects.

Apparatus and methods for playing an orientation-based tabletop game in which one or more game components have functions that vary depending on the orientation of the game component on the game board as compared to the physical location of player positions around the game board. As pieces rotate during the course of play, functional indicators on the game pieces alter the rules or functions of the game piece in the game with respect to each player, depending upon the orientation of the game piece in relation to each player.