Hnefatafl (Viking Chess)

Hnefatafl, often called Viking chess, is the best-known member of the tafl family of board games played in Scandinavia and the British Isles before chess took over. A king and twelve defenders start in the middle, 24 attackers surround them, and the king tries to escape to a corner before he is trapped. Play Viking chess online free in your browser as either side, against the computer or a friend on the same device, with no download or sign-up.

How to play Hnefatafl

This game uses the Copenhagen rules on an 11×11 board, one of the most widely used modern rulesets. The attackers (dark wooden pieces) move first, then the sides take turns.

• Moving: every piece, the king included, slides any number of empty squares in a straight line, like a rook in chess. There is no jumping and no diagonal movement.
• Restricted squares: only the king may stop on the throne (the center square) or on the four corners. Other pieces may pass over the throne while it is empty.
• Capturing: trap an enemy piece between two of yours on a row or column and it is removed. You must make the move that closes the sandwich, so moving between two enemies is safe. The corners and the empty throne count as an enemy for this purpose, and the king is armed, so he can help capture attackers.
• Shieldwall: a row of two or more pieces along the edge can be captured together if you bracket both ends (a corner can be one end) and have a piece in front of each of them. A king in the row is not removed.

How to win

The defenders win when the king reaches any corner. They also win with an exit fort: the king stands on the edge, can still move, and is walled in by defenders that the attackers can never capture.

The attackers win by capturing the king. He must be surrounded on all four sides, or on three sides plus the throne when he stands next to it. A king on the board edge cannot be captured. The attackers also win if they enclose the king and every remaining defender in an unbroken ring.

A player with no legal move loses. Repetition counts against the defenders: if the same position comes up a third time, they lose. The status line warns you the second time.

Brandubh, the quick 7×7 game

Switch the board menu to Brandubh for a short game on a 7×7 board: a king and four defenders against eight attackers. Moves, the throne, the corners and the armed king work the same way. The difference is the king: on or next to the throne he still needs to be surrounded on every side, but out in the open two attackers on opposite sides, or one attacker and a corner, capture him. Brandubh has no shieldwall, fort or encirclement rule, which keeps it fast.

Modes and features

• vs Computer: choose Defend the king or Attack, then Easy, Medium or Hard. Easy makes loose moves. Medium looks a few moves ahead, and Hard searches deeper for up to two seconds a move while the page stays responsive.
• 2 Players: pass and play on one phone, tablet or laptop.
• Move help: tap a piece to see its squares. The last move is highlighted and captures are marked with a red cross.
• Undo and records: Undo takes back your move and the computer’s reply. Wins and losses for each board and level are saved in your browser, and you can continue an unfinished game later.

Strategy tips

• Defenders, threaten two corners at once. The attackers can block one road to a corner per turn. Give the king two open roads and he gets through.
• Attackers, guard the corners early. Pieces placed one step diagonally in from a corner, or two squares along the edge from it, stop the king from sliding in.
• Attackers, tighten the ring slowly. You have twice as many pieces, so even trades help you. Pick off defenders that stray from the group.

FAQ

Is this Viking chess game free?

Yes. There is no account and nothing to install, on desktop, Chromebook, tablet or phone.

Which side is easier?

Try both. Defending gives you a clear goal, getting the king to a corner, while attacking rewards patient play that slowly closes the net. Easy is a good level to learn either side.

Why can’t my piece stop there?

Only the king may stop on the throne or a corner, and pieces can’t jump. The status line explains each rejected move.

Like strategy board games? Try Chess, or Xiangqi, the Chinese chess with a river across the board. For the history and the other tafl variants, read our guide on how to play Hnefatafl.