What is Hnefatafl?

Hnefatafl, often called Viking chess, is a family of Norse board games played from about 400 AD until chess replaced it in the Middle Ages. Its unequal armies make it unlike chess: a small band defends a king at the centre, while a force twice its size tries to stop him from getting away.

This game offers two boards. Brandubh is a fast 7×7 game linked to Ireland. Hnefatafl 11×11 is the larger game, using modern corner-escape rules without shieldwall captures.

How to play

• Attackers move first. Every piece, the king included, moves any distance in a straight line, like a chess rook.
• Defenders win if the king reaches a corner. Attackers win by capturing him.
• Capture an enemy by trapping it between two of your pieces along a row or column. Moving between two enemies yourself is safe.
• Corners count as hostile squares, and so does the empty throne.
• Only the king may land on a corner or the throne.
• The king must be surrounded on four sides. On Brandubh, away from the throne, two attackers on opposite sides are enough.

Strategy

• Attackers should close the corners early, then tighten the ring.
• Defenders should open two escape lines at once, because one move can only block one.

Ways to play

• Against the computer: four levels. Wins raise your rating, which sets your place on the leaderboard.
• Quick match: an online opponent, with a computer player stepping in if nobody is around.
• Play a friend: make a private room and send the code or link.
• One screen: two players take turns on the same device.

FAQ

How do you pronounce Hnefatafl? Roughly NEF-ah-tah-fel. The name means king's table.

Is Hnefatafl balanced? The two sides play very differently, and balance depends on the board and rules. Try both sides by playing a friend or using one screen.

What is the difference between Brandubh and Hnefatafl? Brandubh is a 7×7 tafl game that lasts a few minutes. The 11×11 board is slower and more strategic.