Play Hnefatafl Online, the Viking Board Game
Scandinavia, about 400 CE
Hnefatafl is the game Vikings played before chess got to them. The two sides aren't even. One player has a King and a small guard, the other has twice the pieces and wants him caught.
That imbalance is what makes it fun. Pick a side, play the AI, or challenge a friend.
How to play Hnefatafl
- The King starts on the throne in the middle with 12 defenders around him. 24 attackers line the edges.
- Defenders win if the King reaches any corner square. Attackers win if they surround the King on all 4 sides, or on 3 sides plus the throne.
- Every piece moves like a rook in chess, any number of squares in a straight line. No jumping.
- Only the King can stop on the throne or a corner.
- Capture a normal piece by trapping it between two of yours. The throne and corners count as enemies for this.
Want every detail? Read the full Hnefatafl rules.
A little history
The name means "fist table" in Old Norse. Before chess came in from the Arab world around 1000 CE, tafl games were the strategy game of Northern Europe, played from Ireland to Ukraine.
Because the sides have different pieces and different goals, it plays a lot like a Viking raid, with one side trying to break out and the other closing in.
There's more on the history page.
Strategy that actually helps
If you're the defenders, get the King moving early. The attackers are trying to build a ring around the board, and every turn you wait makes that ring tighter. Open lanes toward the corners and make them deal with more than one threat.
If you're the attackers, don't chase the King. Build a wall. Close off the corners first, then squeeze. Losing a few pieces is fine if the circle holds.
Watch for captures on both sides. A normal piece is taken when it's trapped between two enemies, so moving into a gap between two enemy pieces is usually safe, but sitting next to one with an open square behind you isn't.
Hnefatafl FAQ
Is Hnefatafl free to play here?
Yes. You can play the AI or a friend in your browser for free.
Why is it called Viking chess?
People call it that because it's a strategy game the Norse played on a square board, and it was popular before chess reached Scandinavia. The two games aren't really related though. The sides aren't even equal, one side has a King to protect and the other has more pieces.
Which side is easier?
It depends on the rules and the player. In a lot of modern versions the defenders win a bit more often, but a patient attacker can win plenty.
Are these the real Viking rules?
The full rules weren't recorded. Modern versions are rebuilt from game boards, sagas, and a 1732 description of a related Sami game called Tablut. Ours is one of those modern versions.
Ready to play?
Play the AI at your own level, make a private room for a friend, or hit Quick Match. It all runs in your browser on ancientboardgames.io.