Othello

Othello

Othello is one of those strategy games that takes a minute to learn and a lifetime to master. No fancy pieces or complicated rules to remember, it is very straightforward yet requires logic. For two players only.

Object:

Have the most discs on the board with your color face-up at the end of the game.

Set up:

Assign a color to each player. Place four pieces in the middle of the board according to the directions (2 white sides up, 2 black sides up).

Play:

Players take turns placing one disc on the board, if they can outflank their opponent in doing so. This means that by placing a disc somewhere on the board you are able to have your color disc at both ends of a row or column (horizontal, vertical, diagonal) that has your opponents discs in between. Once you place this disc, you can flip all of your opponents discs in between your end colors, to your color. If by chance you can play one disc that can outflank your opponent in two or even three directions (horizontal, vertical, diagonal), you get to turn all of your opponents discs that are outflanked in all directions. Think spatially for some of your most successful plays. Each player can place only one disc on his turn, but if he cannot outflank his opponent in at least one direction, he must pass his turn. The tide can turn over and over within one game. It can look like your opponent has the game all sewn up, and then a well placed disc on your turn can change the board to your advantage. You won't know the score until the last disc is played. Lots of opportunity to practice in-hand manipulation in one game.     

Try this:

• Hold several discs in your hand as you play. Move them one at a time to the fingertips to play.
• Stack the discs in a tower and take them off one at a time to play without toppling the tower.
• Stack them upside down in a tower. Take one off, flip it in-hand, and then play it.
• Try for the edge positions. No one can outflank you on an edge. Corners are good too.
• Work on planning, spatial relations, strategy, in-hand manipulation, manual dexterity, process skills, executive functioning skills, socialization skills, play and leisure exploration and participation
  

In the box: 64 reversible discs, 1 playing board

Ages 8+, 2 players