A game of Solitaire Othello consists of finishing a game of Othello in progress when there are only a few moves left (in between 6 and 12 empty squares). The program will indicate your objective for this game: for example, ‘Black to play and win!’ or ‘White to play and draw!’.
The problem and the challenge is that there is one and only one series of moves that will allow you to achieve that objective. In case you don’t play the correct move sequence (for example you invert the order of two moves) the computer will take great pleasure in making your goal impossible, since Icare will always play the move that gives itself the highest possible final score.
So, a game of Solitaire Othello is very similar to a labyrinth that you must find your way out of. You stand within a hallway and there are many doors (legal moves) to choose from. Each door you go through gives you another choice. There is one and only one series of doors to pass through to find the exit, and every other path will lead to a dead end. Don’t forget that in most Othello endgames, the best move can normally be found with a little bit of care. To help you out, I would recommend reading the book “”A la d‚couverte d’OTHELLO”” edited by the French Othello Federation, or the book “”Brief and Basic”” from the United States Othello Association.
ICARE gets its name from this analogy, since “”care”” is required when choosing moves. You will learn quickly that simple rules of thumb (such as always taking as many discs as possible, and always take a corner given to you) are not the most effective, particularly in the last few moves of an Othello game.
It is always possible to achieve better results than a computer, provided a solution exists for each problem. This is comforting if we compare ICARE to other stronger Othello programs which are available (CASSIO or THOR, for example).”
Another thing that really makes Icare enjoyable for me is how it manages to stay interesting even after playing it multiple times. Many games feel repetitive after a while, but here, the experience still feels fresh because of the small details and different ways you can approach the gameplay. As you continue playing, you naturally start improving and understanding the mechanics better, which makes everything feel more rewarding. I also appreciate the balance the game maintains—it’s not too difficult, but it’s not too easy either. You can play it casually for a short break or spend longer sessions without getting bored. That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons why I keep coming back to Icare. Overall, it’s the kind of game that doesn’t just entertain you for a moment, but actually gives you a consistently enjoyable experience every time you play.
