WO1988000079A1

WO1988000079A1 - A board game

Info

Publication number: WO1988000079A1
Application number: PCT/GB1987/000469
Authority: WO
Inventors: Peter William Emmens
Original assignee: WORDS INDUSTRIES Ltd
Current assignee: WORDS INDUSTRIES Ltd
Priority date: 1986-07-03
Filing date: 1987-07-03
Publication date: 1988-01-14
Anticipated expiration: 1989-01-03
Also published as: AU7649287A; GB2193898A; GB8616263D0; EP0312537A1

Abstract

A board game has a board (10) displaying a crossword grid (11) having a plurality of playing spaces (12) and non-playing spaces (13). Letter-bricks are used to form answers to clues carried on clue cards, the answers being placed in crossword fashion on the crossword grid (11). A scorepad is used to record the score of each player.

Description

A BOARD GAME

This invention relates to a board game.

According to the invention, there is provided a game comprising a board displaying a crossword grid having a plurality of playing and non-playing spaces, a plurality of tokens carrying letters and a plurality of clue cards carrying crossword clues, wherein players alternately form words in crossword fashion on the board with the letters on the tokens selected in answer to the clues on the clue cards selected. The game may preferably further comprise scorepads whereon a player's score can be recorded.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, an embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a board for use in the game;

Figure 2 shows a plurality of tokens for use in the game; Figure 3(a) shows five examples of clue cards for use in the game;

Figure 3(b) shows the reverse side of the clue cards shown in Figure 3(a); and

Figure 4 is a plan view of a scorepad for use in the game.

The board 10 shown in Figure 1 has a crossword grid 11 having a plurality of playing spaces 12 and non-playing spaces 13. Tokens or letter-bricks are provided, preferably in a box or bag, each letter-brick carrying a single letter on one face. A plurality of further tokens having no letter are also provided. Suitable letter bricks 20 are shown in Figure 2.

Figure 3(a) shows five examples of clue cards 30. Each clue card 30 carries a clue 31 on its front, face. The rear face of the cards is shown in Figure 3(b).

Figure 4 shows the layout of a scorepad 40 which may be used for recording the scores of each player. The scorepad 40 has a grid 41 of fifty-two white squares 42 arranged as a crossword grid.

In the embodiment shown, a player has ten letter bricks or tokens 20 and three clue cards 30. The player attempts to place an answer to one of the clues 31 on the board 10 using the tokens 20. Points are scored according to the rules set out below and a single white square 42 is blanked out for each point scored. The first player to blank out all fifty-two white squares 42 on his or her scorepad 40 wins the game.

The more detailed rules according to which the game is played are set out below.

CROSS-PURPOSES - RULES

IN BRIEF

A game in which players compete by interpreting clues and entering solutions in the crossword.

EQUIPMENT

Cross-Purposes contains one playing board, 204 clue cards, four scoring pads and 200 letter tokens.

ORDER OF PLAY

This is decided by each player selecting a letter - the letter nearest the beginning of the alphabet plays first. Play proceeds in a clockwise direction. , TO BEGIN

Each player selects, unseen, ten letters and three clue cards. Clue cards should be taken from the front of the box and replaced at the back.

TO PLAY

1) Place a solution to one of your clues. You may swap or rearrange letters already played, or in the discard pool, in order to help you place your solution, provided that:

(a) you do not replace more than two letters in any one solution.

0 (b) you alter, only once, any word already on the board.

(c) any changes you make leave words that make sense within each light.

(d) you always have ten letters in your hand before -₁5 playing your solution.

2) Record your score.

3) Return the used clue card and take a replacement.

4) Replace, unseen, any letters used, so that you have t'en letters for your next turn.

DISCARD LETTERS ₂₀ When replacing letters used, so as to again have ten letters to play with, you may reject one of the letters picked. If so, place the letter, face up, in a central pool and take another. In their turn, players may swap letters from this pool with letters in their hand or on the board, in order to reach their desired solution.

SCORING Only score new words placed in the crossword. Score one point for each new letter and an extra point for each shared letter in your solution. If your solution uses words already on the board in order to acquire its full meaning, these do not score. Record your score by cancelling the appropriate number of white squares on your score pad.

THE WINNER

The winner is the first player to cancel all the white squares on their score pad.

CLUE CARDS

Should be shuffled when you play Cross-Purposes for the very first time. Thereafter it should be unnecessary.

There are five types:

CROSSWORD CLUES (120) - which are deliberately chosen so as to invite the widest possible interpretation.

SAME OR OPPOSITE (20) - where your solution is liable to °e interpreted more rigorously by other players.

A WORD INCLUDING (20) - where the clue part may start. end or be part of your solution.

FOUND WITH (20) - where the word or phrase you play should not include the clue.

CLUE IT YOURSELF (24) - which is essentially a bonus.

You may play any word or phrase provided you first announce a suitable clue.

SOLUTIONS

A solution is any word or phrase that can be considered or proved to be a satisfactory interpretation of your clue.

It may be played in any vacant or incomplete light.

It must completely fill at least one light and must make a complete word or words in any light it fills.

A solution may be offered in conjunction with any word or words previosly placed on the grid.

WORKS OF REFERENCE May be consulted at any time.

IF YOU CANNOT GO

You may instead exchange any or all of your letters or clue cards,

BLANK TILES

Blanks may be used to represent any letter. In the course of play, they can come to represent any other letter. They have no scoring value. CHALLENGES

A challenge may be made by any player at any time. It may be on accuracy, spelling or interpretation. Where possible, the issue is best resolved by referring to a dictionary, atlas or appropriate reference book.

Otherwise, any interpretation of a clue is acceptable, unless a majority of the other players disagree. You may not ask beforehand whether your solution or any changes you make would be acceptable.

If a challenge is upheld, remove or restore the word challenged and your turn ends.

INTERPRETATION

Clues may be interpreted in any way that is normally acceptable in crosswords. Players may therefore offer solutions including proper and place names, words and abbreviations in common use and well known phrases and sayings. (Even in a foreign language.)

IN GENERAL

A normal game of Cross-Purposes lasts around one hour and does not completely fill the grid. Many however take pleasure from completely filling the crossword. However you choose to play, a skilful player can derive considerable advantage, and enjoyment, from the re-arrangement and swapping of letters that is essential if the game is to be fully enjoyed.

CROSS-PURPOSES SOLITAIRE

A single player can obtain much entertainment and diversion from a solo version of CROSS-PURPOSES.

The object in such a game is not to score points, but to attempt to complete every light on the grid. The player begins with 10 letter-bricks as usual, and follows the usual procedure, renewing clue cards and letter-bricks as the game rules dictate.

It is envisaged that the game described above may be adapted to be played as a computer game. It may also be possible to conduct a game of CROSS PURPOSES through a medium such as a newspaper or magazine.

It should be noted that the name of the game is not limited to "CROSS PURPOSES".

Claims

1. A game comprising a board displaying a crossword grid having a plurality of playing and non-playing spaces, a plurality of tokens carrying letters and a plurality of clue cards carrying crossword clues, wherein players alternately form words in crossword fashion on the board with the letters on the tokens selected in answer to the clues on the clue cards selected.

2. A game as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of the clue cards carry clues allowing players to invent a clue for immediate use.

3. A game as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein points are scored according to the length of the words formed on the board.

4. A game as claimed in claim 3, wherein additional points are scored for forming a word incorporating a letter previously placed on the board.

5. A game as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein points scored are recorded on a scorepad by blanking out squares arranged on the scorepad in the manner of a crossword grid.

6. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a player may reject a selected token and place the rejected token in a central pool, the rejected token being replaced by selecting a further token.

7. A game as claimed in claim 6, wherein a player may exchange rejected tokens from the central pool for tokens previously placed on the board such that all tokens placed on the board form complete words.

8. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a player may exchange selected tokens for tokens previously placed on the board such that all tokens placed on the board form complete words.

9. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a player may rearrange the letters of a previously placed answer such that the rearranged letters form a complete word.

10. A game as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein no more than two letters in any previously placed answer may be exchanged or rearranged.

11. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a player replaces a clue card immediately after an answer thereto has been placed on the board.

12. A game as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of boards are provided, each displaying a crossword grid, the board for use in the game being selected by the number of players.

13. A game substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

14. Data-carrying medium for reproducing in any format a game as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.