Hnefatafl - The Viking Game

Hnefatafl - The Viking GameGift box presentation. Made in the UK. 1 white King. 12 white Defenders. 24 dark Attackers. Linen playing surface. Rules and Historical information leaflet. The Viking Game, also known as Hnefatafl, The King's Table, or simply Tafl, is one of those rare games with two unequal sides. The attacking side is positioned around the border and comprises 24 infantry in four groups of 6. All pieces move like the rook in chess, and pieces are captured by

• Gift box presentation.
• Made in the UK.
• 1 white King.
• 12 white Defenders.
• 24 dark Attackers.
• Linen playing surface.
• Rules and Historical information leaflet.

The Viking Game, also known as Hnefatafl, The King's Table, or simply Tafl, is one of those rare games with two unequal sides.

The attacking side is positioned around the border and comprises 24 infantry in four groups of 6. All pieces move like the rook in chess, and pieces are captured by "sandwiching", i.e. moving a piece so that your opponent's piece is trapped horizontally or vertically between two of yours.

The game starts with the defending team in a cross formation in the centre of the board. This team comprises twelve soldiers and a king. Their objective is for the king to escape by reaching any of the four corner squares. There is an abundance of information available on the internet about Hnefatafl, including many rule variations that are worth experimenting with. Whichever way you play, it's a great game and an ideal gift.

This Hnefatafl set brings to mind the famous Isle of Lewis, and with the "board" printed on woven textile, there is a nice medieval feel to the set. Most pieces found to date are more basic in design than this, giving evidence of just how popular the game was among ordinary people who could not indulge in the finer things in life.