Hnefatafl — Northern Europe — Hnefatafl — Northern Europe

Tafl games set unequal forces against one another: a central king and defenders attempt escape while a larger attacking force closes routes. Archaeology and written references document the family in northern Europe, but modern hnefatafl rules are reconstructed from uneven evidence and later accounts.

Choose a clearly named variant, state its board size and capture rules, and avoid presenting modern Viking-themed merchandise as direct historical proof.