How to Play Hnefatafl
Hnefatafl (pronounced 'nef-ah-tah-fel') is an ancient Viking strategy game dating back to at least 400 AD. Often called 'Viking Chess', this asymmetric game pits a small defending force protecting their king against a larger attacking army. The defenders must help their king escape to a corner, while the attackers try to capture him.
Objective
The game has asymmetric goals. The defenders (white) win if the king escapes to any corner square. The attackers (dark) win if they capture the king by surrounding him on all four sides.
Setup
The game is played on an 11x11 board. The king starts in the center (throne) surrounded by 12 defenders in a cross pattern. 24 attackers are positioned in groups of 6 at the center of each edge. The defenders move first.
Gameplay
All pieces move like rooks in chess - any number of squares horizontally or vertically, but cannot jump over other pieces. Only the king may land on the throne or corner squares. Pieces are captured by surrounding them on two opposite sides (custodian capture). The king requires being surrounded on all four sides.
Winning
Defenders win instantly when the king reaches any corner. Attackers win by surrounding the king on all four sides with attackers or hostile squares (throne and corners count as hostile when empty). A player with no legal moves loses.
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