How to Play Viking Chess (Hnefatafl)
Eric CarrollA Brief History
Hnefatafl belongs to the family of Tafl (“table”) games dating back to early medieval Scandinavia. While boards ranged from 7×7 up to 19×19, modern tournament play has standardized on an 11×11 layout under the “Copenhagen rules,” reflecting the asymmetry of Viking warfare where a small force must break a siege.
Equipment and Initial Setup
The Board
- Size: 11×11 squares (standard).
- Restricted Squares: Five special squares—one central “throne” and four corner sanctuaries—reserved for the king.
The Pieces
- Attackers (Dark): 24 pieces, arrayed in groups of six at the midpoint of each edge.
- Defenders (Light): 12 pieces, arranged around the central throne to guard the king.
- King: A single elevated piece starts on the throne.
Initial Layout
| A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | . | . | . | A | A | A | A | A | A | . | . |
| 2 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| 3 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| 4 | A | . | . | . | . | D | . | . | . | . | A |
| 5 | A | . | . | . | D | D | D | . | . | . | A |
| 6 | A | . | . | D | D | K | D | D | . | . | A |
| 7 | A | . | . | . | D | D | D | . | . | . | A |
| 8 | A | . | . | . | . | D | . | . | . | . | A |
| 9 | A | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | A |
| 10 | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . |
| 11 | . | . | . | A | A | A | A | A | A | . | . |
(A = attacker, D = defender, K = king)
Movement Rules
All pieces move any number of empty squares vertically or horizontally (rook‑style). They cannot jump over other pieces or move diagonally.
Only the king may land on the throne or corner squares; other pieces may pass over an empty throne but cannot end their move there.
Capturing Mechanics
Sandwich Capture
A non‑king piece is removed if, at the end of its move, it is flanked on two opposite sides by enemy pieces or by an enemy piece and a restricted square.
Shieldwall Capture
On the board edge, a contiguous line of two or more friendly pieces bracketed at both ends by enemies (or by an enemy and a corner square) can be captured all at once.
Capturing the King
- Standard: Surround on all four sides.
- Adjacent to Throne/Corner: Surround on the three available sides.
- Edge Immunity: The king on the very edge cannot be captured unless using variant rules.
Winning the Game
- Defenders Win: If the king reaches any corner sanctuary.
- Attackers Win: If they capture the king or trap him and all defenders within an unbroken ring.
- Draw: If a player cannot move or if positions repeat without progress (attackers win on repetition).
Strategic Insights
In candlelit halls, each move feels like dispatching longships into fjord mist—bold thrusts must be tempered by careful lines. Defenders may feign weakness to lure attackers into traps, while attackers rely on unrelenting pressure and shieldwall formations to snuff out any hope of escape.