8088 Othello

8088 Othello boils the game down to a green board, two colors of pieces, and a square you must choose with care. M. W. Bayley is credited with the program and dates its introduction to November 1985. The DOS copy lets you face the computer at five levels of play.

The starting position has four pieces in the center. Each valid move traps a line of opposing pieces between the one you place and another of your color; the captured pieces switch sides. The line can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal. The side panel counts each player's pieces and the remaining empty squares.

One coordinate for each move

The squares are labeled with coordinates from A1 to H8. Type one, for example C4 in the starting position, and confirm with Enter. The computer replies on its turn. The goal is to finish with more pieces of your color, although holding an advantage in mid-game does not guarantee keeping it until the end.

The side menu also shows the commands for passing, switching, and undoing. The original title screen identifies this edition; the background of this game page reproduces the level selection over its own board.