Table of Contents
Hnefatafl.
How do you pronounce Viking game Hnefatafl?
I usually pronounce it “neffa-taffle”, a suggestion that has come up a few times on older forums. If you understand the International Phonetic Alphabet, ˈne-fə-taː-f(ə)l is a closer approximation. As to how the Vikings said it, that’s a different matter.
What language is Hnefatafl from?
Hnefatafl literally translates to “fist table,” from the Old Norse (equivalently in modern Icelandic) hnef, ‘fist’, and tafl, ‘table’.
Who created Hnefatafl?
Hnefatafl began its life in Scandinavia. It probably developed from a Roman war game called Ludus Latrunculorum, which in turn developed from petteia, a game of the Greeks.
How does the king move in Hnefatafl?
In all hnefatafl games, the pieces move horizontally and vertically, but not diagonally. Some games restrict pieces to moving only to adjacent squares. This is most often used on the smallest boards. In some games, the king has a restricted move (typically one or four squares) while the other pieces are unimpeded.
Can the king capture in Hnefatafl?
The King is unarmed and cannot capture. A piece that is next to the corner square can be captured by a single opposing piece. The piece is moved so that the opposing piece is trapped between the corner and the piece moved – the corner square acts as the second capturing piece.
What is Viking chess called?
Also sometimes known as Viking chess, Tafl (also known as Hnefatafl) is considered the great strategy game of the Celtic and Nordic peoples during the Middle Ages, in addition to being charged with symbolism in the Viking culture.
What variations of Hnefatafl exist?
The pages below each describe a particular variant, with history, rules and if the game has been much played, strategy too. Fetlar Hnefatafl. Tablut. Brandub. Tawlbwrdd. Alea Evangelii. York Hnefatafl. Ealdfaeder Taefl Rules. Sea Battle Tafl.
What does the word Hnefatafl mean are there any variations on the title?
Hnefatafl, meaning King’s Table (or literally, Fist Board Game) in Old Norse, is an asymmetric game of pure strategy played by the Vikings and neighboring people with many variations.
Did Vikings invent chess?
The Hnefatafl was a strategy board game similar to contemporary Chess that was invented and played by the Norsemen in the time of the Viking Age. Nowadays, the basic rules of this medieval strategic game are rather obscure.
What does Ö sound like?
To pronounce the ö-sound, say “ay” as in day (or as in the German word See). While continuing to make this sound, tightly round your lips.
How many squares are on a Hnefatafl board?
Modern hnefatafl games tend to have nine or eleven squares on a side, with 25 or 37 pieces, but smaller and more specialist manufacturers still make games in the more extreme sizes. Many boards of seven squares by seven have been found, particularly in Ireland, and Scotland.
How old is Hnefatafl?
The game of Hnefatafl is well over 1600 years old and was played in much of North-West Europe up until the time of the first crusade. In different countries it has been known under different names and has been played on boards of different sizes. Its heyday was the period from about 400 to 1000 AD.
How does Hnefatafl work?
The game is one of pure strategy, played on a square board. A king and a small force of defenders occupy the centre of the board. The objective of the king is to escape to the periphery of the board, while the objective of the attackers is to capture the king, preventing his escape.
What is Viking Kubb yard game?
Kubb (pronounced “KOOB”) is a Swedish lawn game said to have been played all the way back in the Viking Ages. Toss the dowels underhand and topple your opponents kubb blocks. Topple all of their blocks, then the king and your team is victorious!.
How big is a Hnefatafl board?
Common board sizes are 7 x 7 i.e. 7 squares wide, by 7 squares tall, 9 x 9, 11 x 11, 13 x 13 and 19 x19. The smaller size boards are more commonly associated with the game Talbut. The 11 x 11 and 13 x 13 size boards are more common with Hnefatafl boards found in Trondheim and Gokstad, Norway.
Can you double capture in Hnefatafl?
§ Double/triple capture: In case of an appropriate position it is also possible to capture two or even three single enemy warriors by one move, but not if they are standing together in a row. § Winning the game: The Saxons win if King Alfred reaches any corner square.
Do you remove field kubbs?
Some rules say that once a Kubb has been knocked over twice, it is removed from the field of play. This will have the effect of shortening the game considerably and so may be appropriate for younger children.
How do you pronounce kubb in Swedish?
The first commercial sets of KUBB were introduced at the end of the 1980s, and became popular. Some say KUBB, an exciting, fun outdoor game, is pronounced ‘koob’, although the Sweds pronounced it as ‘kɵb’ and in Gutnish they pronounce it as’kub’.
Who invented chess?
Chess was invented in India around the 8th century. Then it was known as chatrang, and changed over the centuries by the Arabs, Persians and then ultimately the medieval Europeans, who changed the pieces’ names and appearances to resemble the English court.
What were Viking games called?
Knattleikr (English: ‘ball-game’) was an ancient ball game played by the Vikings of Iceland. The term is also applied to a modern sport created by re-enactors, and now played at a few United States institutions as a college club sport, based on what is known about the historical game.
Did Vikings play board games?
Board games and dice During quieter periods the Vikings played board games, which were a popular pastime at all levels of society. Hnefatafl is a war game, in which the object is to capture the king piece – a large hostile army threaten and the king’s men have to protect the king.
