Othello Rules

Othello is played on an 8x8 board similar to that of chess or checkers. The two players each have 32 pieces, which are white on one side and black on the other. 

The game begins with each player having two pieces placed diagonally in the center of the board: (see Figure 1) 

[Figure 1]

An othello 8x8 board in the starting position. 

White begins by placing a piece, white-side up, adjacent to a black piece and opposite another white piece, so that a line of one or more black pieces directly intervenes (horizontally, vertically or diagonally) between the two white pieces (see Figure 2.) Please note that Figure 2 is only an example of a starting move -- you can play your opening with any legal move. 

[Figure 2]

white player makes first move. 

When White places a piece so that an adjacent black piece is between two whites, the black piece is "surrendered," or flipped over to white (see Figure 3.) Note that these pieces may be flipped and change hands many times during a game. 

[Figure 3]

White player captures a black piece. 

You may capture one or more pieces on a given turn. Also, you may capture any number of your opponent's pieces in one or more rows diagonally, vertically and horizontally (see Figures 4 and 4a.) Again, these pieces may change hands many times during a game. 

[Figure 4]

Board before Black makes move. 

[Figure 4a]

Black capturing two separate rows
of white pieces in one move. 

Note: Only the opponent's pieces between one of your pieces and your next move are captured. Take a look at Figures 5 and 6. 

[Figure 5]

Board setup prior to Black's next move. 

[Figure 6]

Only Black's last move counts towards capturing white pieces. 

If you cannot make a legal move, you automatically pass your turn to your opponent. The computer will not allow you to make any illegal moves. 

The winner is the player with the most pieces of his or her color on the board at the end of the game. You may also win by completely eradicating your opponent's color from the game board.