How to Play Hnefatafl
Hnefatafl (pronounced neffa-taffle) is a Viking-era board game from Scandinavia, played for centuries across Northern Europe. The name means “King’s Table” in Old Norse, and the game reflects a dramatic struggle: a king must escape from a siege by surrounding enemies.
Hnefatafl is an asymmetric strategy game for two players — one controls the king and his defenders, the other controls the attackers.
What’s in the Game?
Depending on the version, a typical Hnefatafl set includes:
- 1 King (usually larger or differently shaped)
- 12 Defenders (aligned with the King)
- 24 Attackers (sieging the King)
- A board — usually 11×11, 13×13, or 9×9 (Tablut variant)
At Woodworker Georgia, we craft several Hnefatafl versions by hand, each with their own unique board layout and story.
Game Objective
- Defenders’ goal: Help the King escape to any of the four corner squares.
- Attackers’ goal: Trap and capture the King by surrounding him on all four sides.
Game Setup
- Place the King in the center of the board (the throne).
- Surround him with 12 Defenders, forming a cross around the King.
- Position the Attackers symmetrically on the board edges, depending on board size.
Note: The center square (throne) and corner squares (escape points) are special — only the King can occupy them.
How to Play
- Players take turns moving one piece per turn.
- All pieces move horizontally or vertically (like a rook in chess), over any number of empty squares.
- Pieces cannot move diagonally or jump over other pieces.
Capturing Rules
- A piece is captured by sandwiching it between two enemies on opposite sides.
- The King must be surrounded on all four sides (or three sides if he's next to the throne) to be captured.
- Captures happen instantly as soon as a piece is surrounded.
- Only one piece can be captured at a time unless using advanced rules.
Winning the Game
- The Defenders win if the King escapes to any corner square.
- The Attackers win if they trap and capture the King.
Strategy Tips
- For Attackers: Control the middle and force the King into tight corners.
- For Defenders: Create escape routes and mislead the attackers with decoys.
- As the game is asymmetric, each role requires a different tactical approach.
Want to own your own piece of Viking history?
Explore our handmade Hnefatafl boards on our website or Etsy Store, carved with care in Georgia and steeped in Nordic tradition. You can also
