<p>This is very simple. If one corner is empty, but black has both edges and the diagonal, then black can't go in the corner, and neither can white.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-10-04T16:54:27.507Z
2017-10-04T16:54:27.507Z
Staden
<p>"wipeout" is an example of such an ending, too! It's not something that happens to serious players, but it certainly happens to casual players.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-16T16:53:55.060Z
in my question I specifically state in cases where both have pieces left
John Demetriou
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-05T20:19:23.470Z
@JohnDemetriou I don't see anywhere in your question that you say you are asking for cases where both sides have pieces left.
Acccumulation
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-15T00:25:09.253Z
2014-11-15T00:25:09.253Z
hunter
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DThIp.jpg" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>Othello‘s rule book states in the final sentence “it is possible for a game to end before all 64 squares are fillled”.  We just encountered such an edge case. White had the final move, and could not play. Game was called. Black won the game with 34 disks. White has 29. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-05T02:51:22.570Z
2019-02-05T02:51:22.570Z
Bruc Const
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/1xxEr.jpg" alt="othello stalemate draw"></p>

<p>This game ends with a draw, neither player able to play. </p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-25T20:08:45.340Z
This does not appear to add anything new to the question
Joe W
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-27T14:44:06.873Z
Although a valid answer, it was already answered and accepted. Maybe added as an edit to the accepted one?
John Demetriou
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-02-25T14:05:36.327Z
This position is not reachable from the standard opening position: One of the four central squares is empty.
Sir Cornflakes
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-25T19:42:35.153Z
2018-08-25T19:42:35.153Z
Nathan Subscription
<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/jKX0b.png" alt="enter image description here">
This should more than answer you question i destroyed my friend 29-0 with picture to proof</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-31T10:44:41.660Z
Well I would like to see the last step before this :)
John Demetriou
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-31T14:17:43.930Z
The asker clarified that he was only asking about situations where both players have pieces on the board; this comes across as more showing off a good game you had than an answer to the question.
GendoIkari
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-31T20:00:37.543Z
@GendoIkari While the OP mentioned in *comments* that they wanted a situation where both players have pieces on the board, they did not say so in the *question*. Comments are *not* the place to put clarifications of your question. If the OP wants examples with both colors, they should edit the question. As it stands, this is an answer to the question as asked.
Acccumulation
CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-05-31T10:42:37.237Z
2018-05-31T10:42:37.237Z
Dawei
<p>Yes, it is possible for neither player to be able to make a move without the board being full. The Wikipedia article for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversi" rel="noreferrer">Reversi</a> has this example from a competition:</p>

<p><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/tgxGl.png" alt="enter image description here"></p>

<p>There are also simpler examples where all the pieces are turned to the same colour (<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ehiWOSp_wk" rel="noreferrer">YouTube video</a>).</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-02T14:11:32.640Z
I was asking for cases where it was not the same colour only. Thanks
John Demetriou
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-02T13:57:55.487Z
2014-11-02T13:57:55.487Z
Tom77
<p>Is there any case where an Othello (reversi) game would need to no more moves allowed?
This happen to one of the two players leading to the other to play again is a common thing. Has it ever happened simultaneously to both in the history of the game while leaving positions blank? I mean one cannot move, the other cannot move but there is still room on the board.</p>

<p><strong>EDIT</strong>
I understand that when no moves are available the game is scored. What I am asking (as it has never occurred to me in the last 3-4 years I am playing the game is </p>

<p>Is there a possibility in which while the board is not yet full no more moves are available by neither of the two players?</p>

<p>How is this possible? Any examples of boards in which this is possible? </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-10-31T18:47:21.130Z
In reversi when this happens the game is not a stalemate.  It is instead scored and the player with the most peaces wins.  I am not sure if this is understood.  Would you want a situation where the board is full AND has an equal number of stones?
Andrey
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-01T07:35:27.917Z
@Andrey edited my question so I could be more specific
John Demetriou
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-01T20:35:12.550Z
You are still not making if clear if you need the game to end in a tie for the condition to be met
Andrey
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-11-02T12:45:38.373Z
@Andrey It does not matter how the game ends, tie or not. What I am asking is if cases exist in which the board is not completely full, both players still have pieces (the board is not completely white or black) and no move is possible by neither of the players. Thus ending the game abruptly
John Demetriou
<othello>
Is it possible for an Othello / Reversi game to end without the board being filled?
John Demetriou
# Is it possible for an Othello / Reversi game to end without the board being filled?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-10-31)

Is there any case where an Othello (reversi) game would need to no more moves allowed?
This happen to one of the two players leading to the other to play again is a common thing. Has it ever happened simultaneously to both in the history of the game while leaving positions blank? I mean one cannot move, the other cannot move but there is still room on the board.

**EDIT**
I understand that when no moves are available the game is scored. What I am asking (as it has never occurred to me in the last 3-4 years I am playing the game is

Is there a possibility in which while the board is not yet full no more moves are available by neither of the two players?

How is this possible? Any examples of boards in which this is possible?

**Tags:** othello

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: In reversi when this happens the game is not a stalemate.  It is instead scored and the player with the most peaces wins.  I am not sure if this is understood.  Would you want a situation where the board is full AND has an equal number of stones?  
> **username_0**: @username_1 edited my question so I could be more specific  
> **username_1**: You are still not making if clear if you need the game to end in a tie for the condition to be met  
> **username_0**: @username_1 It does not matter how the game ends, tie or not. What I am asking is if cases exist in which the board is not completely full, both players still have pieces (the board is not completely white or black) and no move is possible by neither of the players. Thus ending the game abruptly  

---

## 6 answers

### Answer by username_11 on 2014-11-02. Score: 19 | Accepted answer

Yes, it is possible for neither player to be able to make a move without the board being full. The Wikipedia article for [Reversi](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reversi) has this example from a competition:

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/tgxGl.png)

There are also simpler examples where all the pieces are turned to the same colour ([YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ehiWOSp_wk)).

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: I was asking for cases where it was not the same colour only. Thanks  

---

### Answer by username_2 on 2017-10-04. Score: 5

This is very simple. If one corner is empty, but black has both edges and the diagonal, then black can't go in the corner, and neither can white.


---

### Answer by username_3 on 2014-11-15. Score: 3

"wipeout" is an example of such an ending, too! It's not something that happens to serious players, but it certainly happens to casual players.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: in my question I specifically state in cases where both have pieces left  
> **username_4**: @username_0 I don't see anywhere in your question that you say you are asking for cases where both sides have pieces left.  

---

### Answer by username_5 on 2019-02-05. Score: 3

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DThIp.jpg)

Othello‘s rule book states in the final sentence “it is possible for a game to end before all 64 squares are fillled”. We just encountered such an edge case. White had the final move, and could not play. Game was called. Black won the game with 34 disks. White has 29.


---

### Answer by username_6 on 2018-08-25. Score: 1

![othello stalemate draw](https://i.sstatic.net/1xxEr.jpg)

This game ends with a draw, neither player able to play.

> **Comments:**
> **username_7**: This does not appear to add anything new to the question  
> **username_0**: Although a valid answer, it was already answered and accepted. Maybe added as an edit to the accepted one?  
> **username_8**: This position is not reachable from the standard opening position: One of the four central squares is empty.  

---

### Answer by username_9 on 2018-05-31. Score: 0

![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/jKX0b.png)
This should more than answer you question i destroyed my friend 29-0 with picture to proof

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Well I would like to see the last step before this :)  
> **username_10**: The asker clarified that he was only asking about situations where both players have pieces on the board; this comes across as more showing off a good game you had than an answer to the question.  
> **username_4**: @username_10 While the OP mentioned in *comments* that they wanted a situation where both players have pieces on the board, they did not say so in the *question*. Comments are *not* the place to put clarifications of your question. If the OP wants examples with both colors, they should edit the question. As it stands, this is an answer to the question as asked.  

---

