What is the format of the World Championships?
To qualify for the World Championship, you must be (a) human [that’s right, no aliens or computers allowed], (b) qualify as one of the top three players in your country. Qualification information can be obtained from your country’s Othello Federation. Note the Japanese team consists of the winners of the Open championship, the Ladies championship and a third member chosen by the directors. I have heard second-hand that the Japanese may be sending the Meijin as the third player starting in 1996. The World Championship is normally run as a thirteen round Swiss System tournament which is played over two days. On the third day, the top four players from the Swiss are seeded 1 through 4. #1 plays #4 in a best out of three game match, while #2 plays #3. The choice of colour for the third game is given to the player who is seeded higher. The winners of these two semi-final matches meet in the final; another best two out of three affair. The 1996 World Championships are to be held in the Hotel
