Are Go and Othello the same game?

No. They only look similar because both use a grid and black-and-white pieces. Othello is about flipping discs to own the most on an 8×8 board; Go is about surrounding territory with stones that keep their color.

Is Go harder than Othello?

Go has a far larger board and much greater depth — it resisted strong computer play until 2016, long after computers mastered Othello. Othello is quicker to learn; Go offers more room to keep improving for years.

Do stones flip color in Go like in Othello?

No. In Go, stones never change color. They're only removed when captured by being fully surrounded. Flipping pieces is an Othello mechanic that has no equivalent in Go.

Go vs Othello (Reversi)

Because both use a grid and black-and-white pieces, Go and Othello are sometimes confused — but they are entirely different games with different rules, goals, and history. If you came looking for one and found the other, here's how to tell them apart.

Play a game

No account required — start in seconds.

Open the board

Different rules entirely

In Othello (also called Reversi), you place discs on an 8×8 board and flip your opponent's discs by trapping them between two of yours; discs change color constantly, and you win by owning the most at the end. In Go, stones never change color and rarely move once placed — you play to surround empty territory, and captures are the exception, not the whole game.

Different goals

Othello: flip and hold the most discs on a small 8×8 board.
Go: surround the most territory on a 9×9, 13×13, or 19×19 board.
Othello discs flip sides often; Go stones keep their color for the whole game.

Different depth and history

Othello in its modern form dates to the 1970s and is quick to learn and play. Go is thousands of years old, with a vastly larger board and a depth that kept it beyond the reach of computers until 2016. Both are excellent games — they just share almost nothing beyond black and white pieces on a grid.

Frequently asked questions

Are Go and Othello the same game?: No. They only look similar because both use a grid and black-and-white pieces. Othello is about flipping discs to own the most on an 8×8 board; Go is about surrounding territory with stones that keep their color.
Is Go harder than Othello?: Go has a far larger board and much greater depth — it resisted strong computer play until 2016, long after computers mastered Othello. Othello is quicker to learn; Go offers more room to keep improving for years.
Do stones flip color in Go like in Othello?: No. In Go, stones never change color. They're only removed when captured by being fully surrounded. Flipping pieces is an Othello mechanic that has no equivalent in Go.

Ready to play?

Open the board and start a free game now.

Open the board