Cowthello

Cowthello

Cowthello is a JavaScript version of the board game Othello using cows instead of counters with simple computer opponent.

How to play

Place a cow on a square in order to sandwich your opponent's cows between the new cow and one or more of your existing cows. Valid moves are highlighted. The computer will then attempt to place a cow on the board. If either player cannot go, that player misses a turn. If no-one can go, or if the board is full, the game is over. Whoever has the most cows at the end of the game is the winner. To start a new game, select who is to go first then click on New Game.

The Use reverse board option changes the starting layout of the board slightly to enable games against some other Othello programmes, such as those marked with an (R) below.

About Cowthello

Cowthello is written entirely in JavaScript and uses a 1-ply search strategy with minor modifications made to the evaluation function whenever a corner is captured. It uses cows.

More Cow Games

If you enjoyed this, you might also like to try my Cow Solitaire. I also maintain a list of Cow Games, to which additions are always welcome.

Othello on the Web

There are various other versions of Othello on the Web, some in JavaScript. If Cowthello has played against another version, the scores are shown, Cowthello's score first. Two sets of scores represent Cowthello going first in one game, then the opponent going first. The (R) is explained above in How to play.

Other Othello websites

Version	Language	Scores	Notes
Java Othello ver2.0 (R)	Java	25 - 39
Kelly's JavaScript Othello (R)	JavaScript	52 - 12 ; 30 - 34
@thello	JavaScript	38 - 26	Now moved or defunct
Othello JavaScript Simulator (R)	JavaScript	42 - 22	In Spanish
MiniMaxBot (R)	Java	48 - 16 ; 44 - 20	One of several "bots" on the site. This one uses a 3-ply minimax search.
Svenska OthellofÖrbundet	JavaScript	45 - 19	In Swedish
SCP JavaScript Othello (R)	JavaScript	49 - 15
Hunter and Star Reversi (Othello)	Java	54 - 10