Hnefatafl
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A reader rang me this week to ask about Hnefatafl. Despite having frequently referred to this euphoniously named game, I have never in fact known the rules. The call prompted me into action, and a search on the Internet brought erudition.
Hnefatafl ("King's table") has existed in many forms since about 400AD, all played on square boards with an odd number of squares along each side. The games are all played by essentially the same rules: White starts with a king (or Hnefi) on the centre square or throne (Konakis), surrounded by a number of his own men. Black's men start on the edge of the board. The 9 x 9 version - known as Tablut - is shown above. All the pieces move like rooks in chess: any distance in a straight line, vertically or horizontally. Only the king may occupy the throne. A man is captured when two enemy pieces stand on each side of it on a rank or file. To capture the king, it must be surrounded on all four sides, or on three sides when the fourth is the throne. White wins if his king can reach any square on the edge. Black wins by capturing the king.
Good Hnefatafling!
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments