The Game of Hnefetafel
The game of Hnefetafel or Kings Table, is a game of stratagy for two players.
 Hnefetafel Board with Pieces in starting position. |
It is played on a board divided into squares as shown.
Two sides represent the King surrounded by his defending hearthtroop, and their attackers surrounding them around the outside. |
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 Game Pieces. |
In the set illustrated on the left, the King (centre) and his pieces are light, and the opponents are dark coloured.
The defending team consists of the King Piece himself, and 12 warriors and the attacking team, 24 warriors. |
|
 Basic Move. |
The attacking pieces move first. All pieces move in the same way, that is, along rows in any direction except diagonally, similar to the Rook or Castle piece in Chess. Pieces may move in one direction as many squares as are free, but may not jump or occupy any square occupied by another piece. The centre square is the kings square, and may not be occupied by any other piece. Likewise, no piece other than the King may occupy any of the corner squares. |
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 King Win |
The object of the game is different for the two sides;
The King must reach a corner square, in order for his team to win. |
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 Blocked Corner |
Conversely, the attackers must attempt to prevent the King reaching one of the four corner squares by either blocking them, or, surrounding him on all 4 sides. |  King Surrounded on four sides |
 King pinned against side |
The king may also be trapped if he is surrounded on three sides against a side or the centre square as shown here. |  King pinned against centre |
 Taken Piece |
Pieces are taken by sandwiching them between two opposing pieces, or, trapping them against the corner square.
A piece deliberately placed between two opposing pieces is not taken. |
 Corner Take |
 Piece Taken against King |
A kings piece trapped against the King may be taken as if the king were an opposing piece. | |
