You are black, the bot is white. Place a disc so one or more of the bot's discs are trapped in a straight line between your new disc and another of yours — they flip to black. You must play a flipping move if one exists; otherwise you pass. When neither side can move, whoever has more discs wins.
They are almost identical. Othello is a standardised, trademarked version of the older game Reversi, with a fixed starting position of four discs in the centre.
How do you win at Othello?
You win by having the most discs of your colour when the board fills or neither side can move. Strong play values the corners (which can't be flipped) and mobility over grabbing discs early.
Can I play against a friend?
Yes. Choose 2-players mode for pass-and-play on the same device, or play against the computer at three difficulty levels.
Why is Othello called "a minute to learn, a lifetime to master"?
That is the game's famous slogan, and it fits. The rules — trap and flip — take a minute to explain, but good play is deeply counter-intuitive: having fewer discs mid-game is often better, and ideas like mobility, edge shape and parity keep rewarding study for years.
Is there a world championship for Othello?
Yes. The World Othello Championship has been held nearly every year since 1977, bringing together national champions from many countries, with Japanese players historically the most successful. Top games are decided by tiny margins and precise endgame counting, and studying them is a great way to improve.
Does Othello have named openings like chess?
Yes. Black's four possible first moves are symmetrical, so theory really starts with White's reply — perpendicular, diagonal or parallel. From there, well-known lines carry names like the Tiger and the Rose, and serious players memorise them just as chess players study openings.