Multi-Board Rotating Chess Surface for Player Expansion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional chess variants do not allow for multiple groups or players to play simultaneously, limiting the number of participants and strategic options, as they are confined to a single surface with restricted movement possibilities.

Innovation Solution

A rotating surface with multiple 8×8 chess boards connected back-to-back, allowing players to form alliances and utilize additional powers for pieces that cross a dividing line, enabling more players and strategic depth by expanding the playing area and introducing new piece movements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chess boards are connected back-to-back on a rotating surface, then the number of players and strategic options increases, but the device complexity and structural arrangement become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of playersVSAvoidstructural arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The playing surface is divided into multiple separate 8x8 chess boards that are connected back-to-back, allowing independent placement and movement of pieces on each board while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connecting mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The chess boards are arranged in a three-dimensional configuration around a rotating surface, transitioning from traditional two-dimensional flat boards to a multi-dimensional circular arrangement, enabling players to access boards from multiple angles and directions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If chess boards are wrapped around a rotating surface, then movement possibilities and strategic depth increase, but the ease of operation and piece movement control become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemovement possibilitiesVSAvoidpiece movement control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The chess boards are mounted on a rotating surface that can be spun to bring different boards into play, adding dynamic movement capability to the static chess pieces while maintaining conventional piece movement rules on each individual board

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rotating surface mechanism serves multiple functions: it connects the boards, enables rotation between boards, and provides a unified structural framework, simplifying the overall operation despite the complex arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of information

If dividing lines are introduced to separate chess boards, then player identification and alliance formation become clearer, but the visual complexity and board arrangement difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer identificationVSAvoidboard arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Dividing lines are introduced only at specific locations where chess boards connect back-to-back, providing clear visual separation and player identification at critical transition points without unnecessarily complicating the entire board arrangement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11896913B1Multi-dimensional rotating modified chess game

Publication Date: 2024.02.13 COULTER CRAIG WALLACE

AI summary

A chess-like game played by at least two or as many players as possible on a non-polyhedron or a polyhedron rotating surface wherein a number of chess boards are connected to each other, back-to-back and wrapped around the said rotating surface so that the rows of at least two chess boards are parallel.