a chess - like board game for use by two players comprises a checker board having a peripheral checker playing area with rows and columns of bilaterally alternating colored spaces . a central playing area comprising a checker area with rows and columns of bilaterally alternating colored spaces of a different color indicating the sea . the checkered areas are aligned both in rows and columns for movement of pieces along the outer peripheral area or through the central area . a set of chess - like pieces are provided on each side of the playing board including a plurality of different pieces having different moving characteristics . each side of the board is provided with a marked area indicated as the target area for occupation by pieces of the opposing side . the central playing area is provided with pieces functioning as boats for movement of the playing pieces across the sea . the boats may move only when occupied and then according to the characteristics of the piece occupying the boat . one boat is provided which is large enough to contain three different pieces and moves according to the characteristics any or all of the pieces occupying said boat .