Apparatus for playing a game

Claim 1

Apparatus for the playing of a game by only two participants, the apparatus comprising means that is planar when in use and that is marked with a single game area which defines a plurality of adjoining identically dimensioned spaces substantially all of which are plain and unmarked, said means further being marked to define one reserve area and one play area for use by each of the two participants, a plurality of playing pieces each of which is planar and is marked on both opposite sides with a single letter of the alphabet or with a symbol denoting universal use, each playing piece being assigned a scoring value, and rules for playing a game with the apparatus which rules require the initial allotment of an equal set of lettered playing pieces and one universal playing piece to each of the two game participants for disposal in the respective reserve areas of said means, an initial secret selection by each participant of the same previously agreed number of not less than two and not more than ten of his/her allotted playing pieces for transfer from that reserve area to the respective play area, and the formation of conjoined words in crossword format in the adjoining spaces of the game area, such words yielding scores determined by the total letter values involved, the taking by the two participants of alternate turns using playing pieces selected from their respective play areas, and the subsequent restoral of the preselected number of playing pieces in their respective play areas at each turn by replenishment from the corresponding reserve areas, and wherein the rules also require all the playing pieces to remain fully visible to both participants once said initial secret selections thereby have been made in each game and the participants have signified that they are ready to continue that game.