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Overview
Reversi icon RV

Reversi

리버시

Flip your opponent’s discs by surrounding them—then win by owning the board at the end.

One move can swing the entire game. Corners, edges, and mobility make it deceptively deep.

Players: 2P Session length: 5-20 min
Abstract StrategyBoard Game

Goal & Core Rules

Place discs to capture (flip) opponent discs in straight lines, and finish with more discs on the board.

  • Play on an 8×8 board, taking turns placing a disc on an empty square.
  • A move must flip at least one opponent disc by bracketing it in a straight line.
  • If you have no legal move, you pass.
  • When neither player can move, the game ends; the player with more discs wins.

Controls

Mouse

  • Click a legal square to place a disc

Keyboard

  • Move focus + Enter to place (if supported)

Touch

  • Tap a legal square to place a disc

Beginner Tips

  • Early on, don’t chase big flips—fight for good squares.
  • Corners are usually game-changing; be careful with squares that hand corners to your opponent.
  • Try to limit your opponent’s legal moves (mobility).

Advanced Tips

  • Edges and stable discs often decide endgames.
  • Keeping your disc count low midgame can be strong if it improves mobility and corner access.
  • Practice endgame counting to convert advantages precisely.

Origins & History

Reversi is commonly traced to late-19th-century England (with disputed inventorship). A modern commercial/tournament ruleset became widely known as “Othello” after being promoted in Japan in the 1970s.

Timeline

  1. 1883 Reversi appears in England (inventor claims are disputed).
  2. 1971 Othello is associated with a Japanese patent/utility model and commercial push.

Notable People

  • Lewis Waterman Claimed inventor of Reversi (disputed)
  • John W. Mollett Claimed inventor of Reversi (disputed)
  • Goro Hasegawa Helped popularize the modern commercial form as Othello in Japan

FAQ

Why is flipping a lot early sometimes bad?

It can give your opponent access to stronger squares and increase the number of your discs they can target later.

Why are corners so important?

Corner discs are typically unflippable and help secure edges and stable discs.

What happens if I have no legal move?

You pass. If both players pass consecutively, the game ends.

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