HNEFATAFL

The Board

Hnefatafl is played on an 11×11 board. The center square is the throne. The four corner squares are refuges — the king's escape goals.

The Forces

24 dark attackers (iron) start around the edges. 12 light defenders (silver) and 1 golden king start in a cross around the throne.

Movement

Attackers move first. All pieces move any distance horizontally or vertically — no diagonals, no jumping. Only the king may stop on the throne or in a corner. Other pieces may pass through the empty throne but not stop there.

Capture (Flanking)

Move so that an enemy piece is sandwiched between two of your pieces on opposite sides (or one of yours and the empty throne, or a corner). Captures only happen from active movement — a piece that moves voluntarily between two enemies is safe.

King Capture

The king is captured when all four orthogonal squares around it are blocked by attackers, the throne, or the board edge. On the throne, the king needs four attackers surrounding it to fall.

Winning

Defenders win if the king reaches any corner refuge. Attackers win by capturing the king or leaving defenders with no legal moves.