How to Play Hnefatafl Board Game
Hnefatafl is an asymmetric board game of pursuit and escape. The larger attacking force moves first and tries to seal all four corners. The defenders win by clearing a route for their king to reach one. Every piece slides like a rook. Choose an AI level, pick a side, and make the opening move.
How a Game Begins
The board has eleven squares on each side. Twenty-four black attackers begin along the edges, while twelve white defenders surround the king at the centre. Attackers move first. Soldiers and the king slide along ranks or files without jumping. Trap an enemy soldier between two friendly pieces to capture it; the king can also complete this sandwich.
The defenders win when the king reaches any corner. The attackers win by surrounding him on four sides, or on three when he stands next to the empty throne. The throne and corners are hostile to soldiers: they can complete a capture, but soldiers cannot occupy them. A long run of moves without a capture ends in a draw.
Attackers Move First
Black begins along all four edges, while White gathers around the throne. The empty corners are the king's exits, so the attackers must control them early. Before chasing a capture or tightening the net, check which ranks and files still give the king a clear route to safety.
Sandwich to Capture
You never capture by landing on an occupied square. Instead, move beside an enemy soldier so that a friendly piece or hostile square traps it from the other side. The empty throne and four corners can act as those hostile walls. Capturing the king is different: he must be surrounded.
Hints Follow Your AI Level
Choose from multiple AI levels, then play Black to hunt the king or White to escort him. Hints use your selected level, and undo rolls back both your move and the AI reply. After the game, replay the moment a corner opened or the surrounding net broke. All AI calculations run in your browser.
11×11Fetlar board
24 vs 13attackers against king and defenders
Cornerthe king's escape goal
4 sidesneeded to surround the king
