Board Game of Thrones

The king of all board games is getting a new jewel in its crown.

Four Kings One War is a modern variant of classic chess, invented by Stanmore Bay resident Glyn Leggett.

The two-player strategy game is set on an arena-style 3D board, and gives the 1500-year-old game a modern twist.

With four sets of chess pieces, Leggett says game play uses the fundamentals of chess, but is more like guerilla warfare.

Those that love the game of chess will love the atmosphere and tension Four Kings One War offers.

The game ends when a player gets both of their opponent’s kings into checkmate.

Four Kings One War came to Leggett ‘‘in a bit of a flash’’ in 1999.

He says he’s been working towards releasing it since.

With the idea patented and extensively trialled, Leggett hopes to start mass production and break into the board game market.

His Four Kings One War vision extends far beyond the table top, with plans to develop online and augmented reality versions of the game.

Leggett says the game has reignited a love of chess for some ex-players, and gamers a new outlet.

Local gamers are gathering once a week in a chess club to battle it out over Four Kings One War.

‘‘We’ve got 20-somethingyear-olds who would normally be playing PlayStation or in pubs.

‘‘And here they are playing chess,’’ he says.

As the inventor, Leggett knows Four Kings One War better than most, but he loves being beaten at his own game by new players.

‘‘I cannot wait to see what chess gurus can do with this thing,’’ he says. given

Leggett has started a Kickstarter campaign to get game production off the ground.

If successful, he hopes to give back to the community as much as possible.

‘‘It’s not just about the game, it’s about making a culture,’’ he says.

Leggett hopes to create revenue streams for Four Kings One War players.

This is for those who create their own board designs and strategies, as well as getting the game to schools and communities.

Search Four Kings One War on kickstarter.com for more.