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There are varying time limits ranging from one minute for coffee break style desktop versions right up to thirty minutes as seen in the world championship rules and regulations. The clock will start counting down at the beginning of a player’s first move and be paused each time they complete a turn whilst the opposing player’s clock is ticking down. Players can start with a preset time limit for their total number of moves. This decision is reached by identifying which of the two opponents has the most pieces on the board.įor stricter or regulated games there is an alternative method of finishing a game. Players will then continue to move alternately until they get to the end of the game and a winner is decided. It goes without say that while the example assumes the use of black as the moving player, it is applicable both ways. This turning action must be completed for every legal turning line that is created with the placing of the new piece. When a player achieves this, they must complete the move by turning any white pieces in between the two black so that they line becomes entirely black. A legal move is one that consists of, for example, a black piece being placed on the board that creates a straight line (vertical, horizontal or diagonal) made up of a black piece at either end and only white pieces in between. In the typical set ups where it is black versus white the person using black chips must make the first move.īoth players take it in turns to make their move which consists of placing one piece down in a legally acceptable position and then turning any of the opposing player’s pieces where applicable. No two matching colours are connected vertically or horizontally so a miniature chequered pattern is made. The game is classed as finished when there are no spaces left on the board or there are no more possible legal moves for either competitorīoth players begin the game with two pieces on the board in the four centre squares. Players battle to finish the game with more of their own pieces on the board than their opponent. Each player’s pieces will be of one colour with the most common occurrence being black and white. Made up of 8 rows and 8 columns, the board is populated with pieces from both players in turn.
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Often referred to as a game of abstract strategy, Othello can only be played as a 2 player game. In both its originally named form and the newer trademark this game has become very popular on computers as much as in board format. Othello is the trading name of a much older board game, Reversi.
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