A chess game method includes providing a standard chess board having squares of alternating colors; providing a first set of chess pieces of a first color and a second set of chess pieces of a second color; arranging the first set of chess pieces in a first corner of the standard chess board such that a king of the first set of chess pieces is in the corner; and arranging the second set of chess pieces in the second corner of the standard chess board such that a king of the second set of chess pieces is in the second corner; the first corner is directly opposite the second corner.

A game utilizes a multi-surface play surface having a plurality of locations defined thereon. A plurality of topographical features are removably attachable to selected ones of the locations to further alter the game play surface. A surface base supports a plurality of light source nodes interconnected by pluralities of light transmitting elements. Light is directed upwardly through the light source nodes. Additionally, selected portions of the game play surface which overlay on top of a light source node define surface locations which include light transmissive elements constructed to avoid blocking the light therefrom. Selected surface features also include light transmissive elements to further avoid blocking light from the light source node and game play surface location. The surface base is formed in two segments and is supported upon a book-like housing which includes a mechanism for raising and lowering one of the surface base segments within the housing to facilitate complete closure thereof.

A game utilizes a multi-surface play surface having a plurality of locations defined thereon. A plurality of topographical features are removably attachable to selected ones of the locations to further alter the game play surface. A surface base supports a plurality of light source nodes interconnected by pluralities of light transmitting elements. Light is directed upwardly through the light source nodes. Additionally, selected portions of the game play surface which overlay on top of a light source node define surface locations which include light transmissive elements constructed to avoid blocking the light therefrom. Selected surface features also include light transmissive elements to further avoid blocking light from the light source node and game play surface location. The surface base is formed in two segments and is supported upon a book-like housing which includes a mechanism for raising and lowering one of the surface base segments within the housing to facilitate complete closure thereof.