Hi. I'm also developing a boardgame that closely, (but not identically) resembles an already published game.
From browsing various different sites I get the impression that 'ideas' can't actually be copyrighted so the mechanics of a boardgame therefore also can't be copyrighted. Obviously, the Name and the Art of the original board game can't be used, but I think copying an idea is fine.
There are plenty of Match3, Hidden Object and other game clones out there so I'm sure you'll be OK too. You could also post a message on boardgame geek and see if anyone there knows.
From browsing various different sites I get the impression that 'ideas' can't actually be copyrighted so the mechanics of a boardgame therefore also can't be copyrighted. Obviously, the Name and the Art of the original board game can't be used, but I think copying an idea is fine.
There are plenty of Match3, Hidden Object and other game clones out there so I'm sure you'll be OK too. You could also post a message on boardgame geek and see if anyone there knows.