Vary start position

Reversi allows to start a game with a different initial position than the usual one of the reversi game family.

Varying start position

To enable or disable this option, while configuring a new game, click on the Difficulty button, and in the menu that appears, select Vary start position.

If you are playing a game against the computer, enabling this option will start new games with a random position in the six possible start positions.

If you are playing with another player, enabling this option will start new games with the two-player game overture.

If the option is disabled, then the usual position of the reversi game family is always used for new games. See its description in the list of possible start positions.

Possible start positions

There are really two possible start positions in Reversi, up to six as their symmetries can also be played.

The two main positions are the following:

Usual start position: light-dark, dark-light
Alternative position: dark-light, dark-light

Usual start position

Alternative position

Their allowed symmetries are the following:

Only symmetry of the usual start position: dark-light, light-dark
First symmetry of the alternative position: dark-dark, light-light
Second symmetry of the alternative position: light-dark, light-dark
Last symmetry of the alternative position: light-light, dark-dark

Two-player game overture

When playing with another player with the Vary start position option enabled, new games will start with a special two-player game overture.

The board is started empty. The two players are going to place the four initial pieces before starting the game.

  1. Dark goes first, and places the first piece on one of the four central tiles of the board.

  2. Light places one piece in one of the two available positions next to the dark piece.

  3. Dark then places a piece on one of the two remaining central tiles of the board.

  4. Light finishes the opening by placing a second piece at the remaining place.

  5. The game is then started, following the reversi rules.

This opening allows the first player to choose if the game will start with a position “in cross” (the usual start position or its symmetry) or a “parallel” position (the alternative position or one of its symmetries).