Hnefatfl is a Scandnavian board game that used to be played by the Vikings. Learn about its history and how to play it! Photo credits Kulturhitorisk museum, Norway Shutterstock Music credits Skogsdrommar by Blackbard
I've played a simplified version of these rules at markets here in Norway, easy to learn and fun to play. I didn't know much about the actual history of it, or about Tablut, always cool to learn something new
I made a Hnefatafl game during lockdown 2020, ive yet to get to grips with the rules and play but its on my list. A game to play next to the fire pit with some ales me thinks.
Really well explained. I love playing the game have a nice wood and bone set and a set where the leather holding pieces it becomes the board as burnt into the leather. My family blood line goes back to the Viking times, my younger brother now teaches History to high school and up specialising in Viking history. I have studied and followed Norse old ways many yrs. Even when serving in the Army I told the padre as they are the religious guy for all soldiers. Don’t go giving me the last rights as I’m not one of the sheep or flock. We spoke about an hour which he said he was impressed that I knew so much about the culture and spiritual side and agreed to mark it in my file. Not Christian true follower of Pagan / Norse traditions. I’m now on a veterans pension as body has had its day, so me and my service Dog Trooper… also cost me 15yr marriage 2 great kids that don’t see me much or to see my grandkids. Yet you’ve scored a new subscriber and look forward to watching your videos. Stay strong, Skál…🫡🪖🇦🇺
For the exit fort, the white pieces surrounding the king must be impenetrable, otherwise it won't work. In your example, it wouldn't work because the white piece at the head of the formation could technically still be captured, because there are two free spaces on its flanks which allow it to be captured, meaning that the fort is not impenetrable. You would need one more piece there in order for it to work.
Love this game. Didn't know about all these Copenhagen rules. It's cool to have different objectives depending of the chosen team. I'm really into abstract strategy games. Here are some other 2-player games I enjoy: Pente, Dao, Shobu, Tak, Onitama, Kamisado.. Hnefatafl is kinda new for me but I sure love it ! 🤘
The game looks really interesting to play, and the rules are not especially difficult to learn compared to modern chess for example... you can see some similarities with Chaturanga! It is incredible to see the value that was given to strategy in ancient times.
I play allowing the king just to move one square per turn, but he is allow to kill. However if the king moves than one square, he won’t be allowed to kill.
Thanks for addressing this - just downloaded a Hnefatafl game to my phone and will try it out (there were a few, so I'd like to use the best - does anyone out there have a good one they like?) BTW - my son and I will have really gotten into our Viking heritage recently and I will be making a simple leather game board for Hnefatafl, to enjoy camping, or just about anywhere. Hopefully we can get more interest in the cultural aspects of our past (while also enjoying a good whiskey/mead, or whichever alcoholic beverage of your choice).
Hi! I have a question: from the first eight moves, on my turn, can I place two attackers on each side of the corner to prevent the king access to them..?
1.Can the King capture pieces according to Cph rules? In Birka rules he can 2. Some rules mention that you are not allowed to move your pieces in a position so that they can be captured does that include when capturing the oppoistion pieces? since capturing an opposing piece usually means that one of your piece is also flanked right before the capture. 3. 3 piece flanking of the king serves as a win I heard from another walkthrough but he mentioned when all the other pieces were gone wouldn't that lose technically be because you can not move. If you can not move you also lose in the game right?
When i place my piece and doing so i enclose 2 of my oposing figures, are both of them captured? When playing i could even enclose 3 by placing my piece.
I find it almost impossible to win as the attacker. The game is way too easy for the defense. To make things more fair and even I think the king should only be allowed to move one space at a time.
This game is super unbalanced depending on the set of rules its either a guaranteed win for black or a guaranteed win for white. I tested it with a computer. I was unable to find a variant which gives approximately equal chances for both players. I understand that in chess white pieces have an advantage of about 1/3 of a pawn, but still a chess game of played perfectly is either a draw or a win for white. Hnefatafl if played perfectly (computer) leaves no chance to one of the players.
