We played viking chess? | Hnefatafl Let's Play 

This could be a replacement for the office Crokinole tournament for now!

1)First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9)Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

@@alexandrebour7494 This all depends on what ruleset you are playing. There's no commanders and such in "standard hnefatafl" :)

@@garudo7352 I've just realized I forgot to write a preamble in the comment. I want to describe my rules to improve the balance and especially the complexity of Hnefatafl. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore because I've updated my rules and they are radically different from the ones I have written here. Are you interested in my new ideas ?

@@alexandrebour7494 Ah, I see :) Would be interesting to read about your ideas.

@Dale Macarena no, I'm from germany. So I guess it makes sense that he would stumble upon it seeing how we kind of live next to all the viking stuff : -D

I found a way to make Copenhagen Hnefatafl more balanced : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 8) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

I think I managed to make it fair for white side but I'm desperately looking for someone to popularise the rules and to organise tournaments. The rules I describe are in addition of the Copenhagen Hnefatafl rules : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white ordinary piece, black ordinary piece or the King too but a commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces). 7) When the King is blocked on the edge of the board (not next to a corner square, so this rule doesn't concern a2, a10, b11, j11, k10, k2, j1, b1) by 3, if, after 15 white moves, white doesn't manage to free its King, then black wins. 8)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces. 10) White wins : either its King reaches 1 of the 4 corners (a1, a11, k11, k1) or white manages to create an edge castle where the King moves on the edge safely following the Copenhagen rules. Optional rule (I'm not sure to use it) : King cannot move to 6 and 7 squares so as to he can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 squares.

How would you have played?

The new kwyjibo? 🤣

@@TheQrstOne *old? 😂

@@DevilboyScooby werd! Lol It's new to me. 😁

@@TheQrstOne I know they've been on for yonks, but I have a feeling this game was invented before The Simpsons 😆

@@DevilboyScooby, The Simpsons were ancient when the world was still young. 😆

I found a way to make Copenhagen Hnefatafl more balanced : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 3 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 8) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

@@alexandrebour7494 If you want balance play actual historical: When not near the castle the king can be captured like any other piece and he escapes on any edge square, not just the corners. Solves the balance without inventing a bunch of new rules.

@@Painocus I've already played Tawlbwrdd Bell (king captured by 2 and edge escape) and I can tell you it's still in favor for black. Furthermore, the rules I outlined previously are outdated. Now, my rules require special pieces for all the black pieces.

@@alexandrebour7494: Bell's Tawlbwrdd (or throw table as he calls it) reconstruction also doesn't allow pieces to land between two enemy pieces and uses dice, so I doubt it's comparability. Besides from what I've heard his board layout reconstruction itself gives an unusual advantage to attackers (whom I'm assuing you mean when you say "black").

I was wondering about the replication of military tactics - watching this, as a newcomer to the game, it does look like it's closer to the way violent encounters usually play out - for example you take a piece by 'sandwiching' it, and that arrangement of having an enemy in front and behind seems like it would usually result in defeat (unless you had some other advantage) and being taken out of action.

One of the best ways to visualize Hnefatafl is seeing the game the way the Vikings did. The King sits on his Throne in his Castle, surrounded by his Defenders. The Attackers surround the Castle, on all four sides, and lay siege to the Castle. It's impossible for the King to survive in his Castle so he must escape and seek sanctuary in one of the four allied areas i.e. corners. The objective for the Attackers is to go on the offensive to capture the King and simultaneously built a blockade to stop the King from escaping. The Defender's objective is to defend the King from the Attackers and simultaneously try to break through the blockades so the King can get to safety. Despite their names both sides flip back and forth playing offense and defense. It is this back and forth in roles that makes the game take on a true battle feel.

Oh, and to be the manliest possible Viking, you needed martial prowess, a silver tongue when it came to song/poetry, and skill at the game table. Kind of like the Greek education in athletics, music, and mathematics. Very holistic approaches in old civilizations.

There is, and it's great!

Couple of thoughts: - I liked that you describe the 'a' as how people in the South of England pronounce it in Bath, because I live in Bristol and hear both short 'a' and long 'ah' pronunciations hahaha - Is the 'p' in the Icelandic a true p, or a þ sound?

@@cameronhector9074 Ah, I forgot about the East-West divide again... Anyway, it's actually pronounced like a short version of the long 'ah'. The 'p' It's pronounced like a 'p' at the end of a word like 'tip'. -So without much aspiration.

No, the king must be surrounded on all four sides, not just two like the others.

@@ruthadamson5128 ah thanks, I missed that.

They said at the beginning that their rules say they can but I agree that it didn’t make much sense

Backgammon

I've seen that being played. It looks really fun

Literally just tried a game of Ur online, it's every bit as frustrating as I thought it would be lol

I think I managed to make it fair for white side but I'm desperately looking for someone to popularise the rules and to organise tournaments. The rules I describe are in addition of the Copenhagen Hnefatafl rules : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white ordinary piece, black ordinary piece or the King too but a commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces). 7) When the King is blocked on the edge of the board (not next to a corner square, so this rule doesn't concern a2, a10, b11, j11, k10, k2, j1, b1) by 3, if, after 15 white moves, white doesn't manage to free its King, then black wins. 8)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces. 10) White wins : either its King reaches 1 of the 4 corners (a1, a11, k11, k1) or white manages to create an edge castle where the King moves on the edge safely following the Copenhagen rules. Optional rule (I'm not sure to use it) : King cannot move to 6 and 7 squares so as to he can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 squares.

I have a physical copy!

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!

The Discworld books also mention the game Hnaflbaflsniflwhifltafl. I remember Vetinari and Reacher Gilt talking about the board in Vetinari's office in Going Postal.

Indeed it is. Still have my physical copy. I think it is a bit broken though as if one of the sides takes on a certain strategy they can't lose. Has been awhile though

I too have a physical copy of Thud! - it's definitely a Tafl game but it's more imbalanced, but meant to be played twice one each side ...

Geri's game, actually 🤓. Released in 1997.

$600?! This looks like a board any Turkish woodworker who can make backgammon boards could make for less than $60

Is there a video of this? 😃

@@garudo7352 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-wx3uXxDk02Y.html

99% sure that's King's Table: The Legend of Ragnarok, unless another extremely similar Hnefatafl PC game exists out there.

How's that? I can see him being surround on two sides, but not four, and I thought Wheels said to capture the king you had to surround it on all sides?

@@Jayman1clone Haha, well then, that's me forgetting the rules mid game!