Reversi
A classic abstract strategy game from 1883.
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The modern version, marketed as Othello, was patented in Japan in 1971 by Goro Hasegawa.[1]
Making and release
An 1895 article in The New York Times described reversi as "something like Go Bang, played with 64 pieces"[2] The German publisher Ravensburger started producing the game as one of its first titles in 1893.[2] Goro Hasegawa patented the modern version in Japan in 1971.[1] The name "Othello" was selected by Hasegawa as a reference to the Shakespearean play.[3]
The first World Othello Championship was held in Tokyo in 1977.[4] A 1907 Japanese book titled World Games Rules Complete Collection (世界遊戯法大全) documented reversi with rules identical to Othello: the initial four pieces are placed diagonally in the center.[5] Tsukuda Original, a Japanese company, began selling Othello in late April 1973 under a license from Hasegawa, and the game quickly became commercially successful.[6]
What the cited sources add
The World Othello Federation states that from 1977 to 1987 each federation could send the National Champion to the WOC.[4] From 1987 each federation could send three players, and that year also saw the first Team World Championship.[4] Starting with WOC 2016, each WOF member can send an additional youth player.[4] The strategy guide for Anti-Reversi explains that in Reversed Reversi the goal is to end up with the fewest discs.[7]
The same guide notes that in reversed reversi, being wiped out counts as a victory.[7] The guide also states that a disc placed on a corner square cannot be flipped and is said to be stable.[7]
References
- Wikipedia, "Reversi" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: See Japan Utility Patent Application numbers S46-001435 (JP,1971-001435) and number S47-135869 (JP,1972-135869), available via https://www.j-platpat.inpit.go.jp; "Modern Living: Japanese Othello", 11 November 1976; Hasegawa, "A generation of making popular "Othello" games", Gendai, December 1973, p. 147–151; Hasegawa, "The Tale of One Hundreds of Othello – Famous players who decorated the history of Othello", Kawade Shobō Shinsha, December 2005; Hasegawa, "How to Othello", 1981, p. 136 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Reversi" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Fine New Games and Toys; Now Ready for Distribution by the Agents of Santa Claus. In the Modern Wonderland – Millions Spent for the Amusement and Instruction of Children – Minds Active and Hands Busy All the Time", The (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Reversi" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Pages 276–281 December issue of The Ushio published by Ushio Publishing Co., Ltd., on 1 December 1974. Viewed at National Diet Library of Japan (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- "World Othello Championship :: World Othello Federation", worldothello.org. facts only, no text reused. worldothello.org
- Wikipedia, "Reversi" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: 松浦, "Complete World Game Law", Hakubunkan, December 1907, p. 187–189 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Reversi" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: The Nihon Keizai Shimbun. Page 24, 20 March 1973; "140 years of history"; Pages 147–151 of The December issue of GENDAI, published by Kodansha on 1 December 1973. Viewed at National Diet Library of Japan; Pages 110–113 August 25 issue of Yomiuri Weekly, published by Yomiuri Shimbun on 25 August 1973. Viewed at National Diet Library of Japan; Page 23 of Vol.77, No.1811 of JITSUGYO NO NIHON published by Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd. on 1 March 1974. Viewed at National Diet Library of Japan; Pages 276–281 December issue of The Ushio published by Ush en.wikipedia.org
- About Anti-Reversi https://samsoft.org.uk/reversi/strategy.htm on 14 August 2024. facts only, no text reused. samsoft.org.uk
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Reversi (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Reversi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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