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How to Play Othello

Othello is the name for an abstract strategy board game that involves play by two players on an eight-by-eight square grid with pieces that are black and white. Black always goes first. Each player starts with two pieces on the board in the center. The object of the game is to have more of your color on the board then your opponent at the end of the game.

Things You'll Need

Othello

Instructions

- 1
  Play a black piece on the board so that a white piece is between two black. The white will be changed to black.
- 2
  Place a white piece so that it outflanks one or more black pieces. The blacks that are between the white will be converted to white. A piece may outflank any number of pieces in one or more rows in any number of directions at the same time - horizontally, vertically or diagonally. (A row is defined as one or more pieces in a continuous straight line.)
- 3
  Flipping pieces is not optional. If a piece falls into a line that is outflanked, it must be turned even if it is not to the player's advantage.
- 4
  Continue to play in this fashion. If you get to a point where you cannot make a move you can forfeit your turn and your opponent moves again. However, if no one can move or all spaces are filled the game is over. The one with the most pieces on the board is the winner.
- 5
  Find places to play Othello. You can buy the board game to play with friends without a computer (this makes a great travel game) or play the computer version. You can also play online against the computer or against friends.

Board Games