Reversi
Reversi is an abstract strategy board game for two players, played on an 8×8 uncheckered board. The game uses 64 identical disks, light on one side and dark on the other, with each player assigned one color for the duration of play. Players take turns placing a disk on an empty square with their color facing up. After each placement, any opponent’s disks lying in a straight line (horizontal, vertical, or diagonal) between the newly placed disk and another disk of the current player’s color are flipped to the current player’s color. When no empty squares remain playable, the player with more disks showing their own color wins.
The game was invented in 1883. Two Englishmen, Lewis Waterman and John W. Mollett, each claimed to be the inventor and denounced the other as a fraud. Reversi gained considerable popularity in England at the end of the 19th century. Its first reliable mention appeared in the 21 August 1886 edition of *The Saturday Review*. An 1895 article in *The New York Times* described it as similar to Go Bang, played with 64 pieces. In 1893, the German publisher Ravensburger began producing the game as one of its first titles. Two 18th-century European books mention a game that may be reversi, and speculation about older origins exists but remains undocumented. A 1907 Japanese publication described a version with the same rules as Othello, where the first four pieces are placed in the center diagonally and a player who cannot move simply passes.
The modern version, Othello, was patented in Japan in 1971 by Goro Hasegawa. He initially described it as an improvement on reversi but later claimed independent invention. Hasegawa established the Japan Othello Association in March 1973 and held the first national championship in April 1973. The game was launched in Japan that year by Tsukuda Original and became an immediate commercial success. The name references Shakespeare’s play, evoking the conflict between Othello and Iago and the drama of black and white. The green board is meant to suggest a battlefield. Othello was launched in the U.S. in 1975 by Gabriel Industries and achieved commercial success there, with sales reportedly exceeding $600 million and over 40 million classic games sold in more than 100 countries. The trademark for Othello is owned by Kabushiki Kaisha Othello in Japan and by MegaHouse elsewhere. In Othello, the game begins with fo
- claimed_inventors
- Lewis Waterman and John W. Mollett
Quick Facts
- Title
- Reversi
- Italic Title
- no
- Years
- / (or earlier)—present
- Genre
- Board game · Abstract strategy game · Mind sport
- Players
- 2
- Setup Time
- < 10 seconds
- Playing Time
- 1–60 minutes
- Ages
- 8+
- Random Chance
- None
- Skills
- Strategy, tactics, observation
- Aka
- Othello
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Englishmen Lewis Waterman and John W. Mollett both claimed to have created the game, each calling the other a fraud. Two 18th-century European books may or may not describe Reversi, and speculation about older origins remains undocumented. Hasegawa also asserted that the game's origins date back 5,000 years, a claim without evidence. Reversi is played on an 8×8 uncheckered board with 64 disks that are light on one side and dark on the other. Players take turns placing disks on empty squares, flipping opponent disks that lie in a straight line between the new disk and another of the player's color. The game ends when all playable squares are filled, and the player with more disks showing their color wins.
Reader's Guide
Reversi's significance lies in its status as the direct predecessor of Othello, one of the most commercially successful abstract strategy games of the late 20th century. The game's simple rules—placing disks and flipping opponent pieces—create deep strategic complexity, making it a staple of competitive board gaming. Reversi's legacy endures in Othello's continued popularity, with over 40 million classic games sold in more than 100 countries and sales exceeding $600 million. The game also influenced recording methods, such as transcript sheets using an 8×8 grid or algebraic notation (a-h, 1-8), used in tournament play to resolve disputes.
Common Misconceptions (Editorial)
Some people think Reversi and Othello are the same game with different names, but the facts show Reversi is the older version and Othello is a later variant. Others may believe the game’s origins are ancient or date back thousands of years, but the only documented claim of a 5,000-year origin is unsupported, and the known creators are two Englishmen in the 19th century.
Why It Matters (Editorial)
Reversi endures as a classic example of simple rules creating deep strategic complexity, which is why it remains popular over a century after its English debut. Its disputed origins also highlight how even in the modern era, the true history of beloved games can be tangled in conflicting claims and unproven lore.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of game is Reversi?
Reversi is a two-player abstract strategy game played on a plain 8×8 board with no alternating square colors. Players take turns placing stones to sandwich and flip the opponent's pieces, with the winner being whoever controls the most squares at the end.
Why does Reversi matter in board game history?
As a compact, elegant strategy game from the 1880s, Reversi established the core mechanics that Othello later popularized worldwide. Its lasting influence makes it a foundational title in the lineage of modern abstract strategy games.
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