Chess instruction apparatus

Claim 1

A chess instruction apparatus comprising: means defining a playing area consisting of an array of playing squares, each playing square containing a spacial configuration of switches, the configuration being the same in the square, a plurality of playing pieces of opposing colors, each playing piece providing a set of switch actuating members positioned to engage selected ones of said switches when the playing piece is placed on the square, the switch actuating members being arranged in a coded configuration corresponding uniquely to the color and function of the playing piece, a display system consisting of a plurality of display circuits, each display circuit being assigned to a respective playing square and being operable to denote control of the square by a playing piece, a circuit network controlled by said switches, said circuit network providing a network of unidirectional current paths interconnecting said display circuits with a current supply, said switches being selectively operable by said playing pieces for closing selected current paths through the network whereby to activate selected display circuits according to the squares on which playing pieces are placed and the configurations of switch actuating members of such playing pieces.