⚫⚪

Othello Rules

Complete Guide from Basic Rules to AI Strategy

Game Objective

Othello is a board game played on an 8×8 board with black and white discs. Players take turns placing discs and flipping opponent's discs by sandwiching them. The player with more discs of their color at the end wins.

Basic Rules

Initial Setup

The game starts with 2 white and 2 black discs placed alternately in the center of the board. Black plays first.

How to Place Discs

You can only place a disc where it sandwiches opponent's discs with your own. All sandwiched opponent discs flip to your color.

Game End

The game ends when neither player can make a valid move. The player with more discs wins.

Othello Strategy Guide

Practical Techniques Based on AI Analysis

1. Position Importance

🏅 Corners (40 points)

The most valuable positions. Once captured, they can never be flipped back.

Positions: A1, H1, A8, H8

📋 Edges (25 points)

Stable positions. Controlling an entire edge is powerful.

Positions: A2-A7, H2-H7, B1-G1, B8-G8

⚠️ Corner-Adjacent (5-8 points)

Handle with care. Risk of giving corners to opponent.

🎯 Center (15-20 points)

Advantageous in early game. Can influence multiple directions.

2. Control Options

AI prioritizes "limiting opponent's options" (+2 points per move)

✅ Good Mobility

  • Increase your move options
  • Reduce opponent's options
  • Force opponent into bad moves

❌ Bad Mobility

  • Few move options
  • Giving opponent good moves
  • Being forced into bad moves

3. Look-Ahead Thinking

AI always reads 3-5 moves ahead:

1

Step 1: Evaluation

Calculate value of each position

2

Step 2: Simulation

Try all possible moves

3

Step 3: Opponent's Best Move

Predict opponent's response

4

Step 4: Final Decision

Choose the most advantageous move

4. Dangerous Moves to Avoid

🚨 X-Move (Diagonal Adjacent) - Penalty: -25 points

Most dangerous position. High risk of giving corner to opponent.

Example positions: B2, G2, B7, G7 (when corners are A1, H1, A8, H8)

⚠️ C-Move (One Away) - Penalty: -8 points

Also requires caution. Can become disadvantageous depending on development.

Example positions: A2, B1, H2, G1 (when corners are A1, H1)

5. Endgame Techniques

📊 Parity Strategy

Aim to make the last move when even empty squares remain.

  • Secure the last move (+5 bonus points)
  • Force opponent into bad moves
  • Path to certain victory

🛡️ Stability

Increase stable discs (discs that can never be flipped).

  • Expand from corners
  • Secure edges for stability
  • +3 points per stable disc

6. Improving with AI Practice

Practice Tips

  • Beginner: First learn the value of corners and edges
  • Easy: Practice avoiding X-moves and C-moves
  • Medium: Tactics to reduce opponent's options
  • Hard: Endgame reading and calculation
Position StrategyTacticsAdvancedAI Analysis