boardgamevideo
  • Trending
  • Videos
  • Games
  • Channels
  • Lists
  • Shorts

Explore

  • Home
  • Trending
  • Channels
  • Videos
  • Games
  • Lists
  • Shorts
  • Conventions
  • Year in Review

Browse by type

  • Reviews
  • How to play
  • Playthroughs
  • Unboxing
  • Top 100 lists
  • Featured videos
  • Trending this week
  • Rising games
  • Games with fresh review perspectives

Information

  • About
  • Contact
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

© 2022–2026 BoardGameVideo.com

Powered by BGG
  • Videos
  • Trending
  • Shorts
  • Channels
  • Games
  • Lists
Hnefatafl

Hnefatafl

Videos
41
Creators
22

Mostly how-to-play and playthroughs. Hnefatafl is covered on BoardGameVideo.com by 5 reviews, 19 how-to-play guides, 12 recorded sessions, and 5 other videos.

2 players
20 min
Medium weight: Teach it in one sitting

From BoardGameGeek

Hnefatafl, also known as The Viking Game, The King's Table or simply Tafl, is one of those two-player games where the opposing sides are not equal in number. The defending side comprises twelve soldiers and a king, who start the game in a cross formation in the center of the board. Their objective is for the king to escape by reaching any of the four corner squares. The attackers comprise 24 soldiers positioned in four groups of 6 around the perimeter of the board. All pieces move like the Rook in chess and pieces are taken by "sandwiching" i.e. moving your piece so that an opponent's piece is trapped horizontally or vertically between two of yours. There is a host of information on the Internet about Hnefatafl, including many rule variations that are worth experimenting with. A copy of the game was published in issue #128 of Dragon magazine, Dec 1987 (later republished as part of a boxed set: The Best of Dragon Magazine Games in 1990). One of the oldest games in the world - traced in various versions to the Vikings, Welsh, Saxons, and Irish. The origins of this game can be traced through Petteia, played by the Romans, to the even older versions played by the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Derivatives of Hnefatafl include Breakthru, Break Away, Seikkailu Merellä, Tablut and Thud.

Hnefatafl

Watch first

Learn to play

Hnefatafl - The ancient Viking Board Game - How to make it and play it.11:28

Hnefatafl - The ancient Viking Board Game - How to make it and play it.

epicfantasy

epicfantasy

Review

How to play Hnefatafl the Viking boardgame aka Tafl - like Tablut and review *Amass Games*5:50

How to play Hnefatafl the Viking boardgame aka Tafl - like Tablut and review *Amass Games*

AmassGames

AmassGames

Watch it played

Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl6:38

Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl

rvcloud

rvcloud

Which Hnefatafl video should I watch?

Hnefatafl has 41 videos from 22 creators: 5 reviews, 19 how-to-play guides, 12 playthroughs and 5 other videos. They date from 2008 to February 2025.

To learn the rules, start with "Hnefatafl - The ancient Viking Board Game - How to make it and play it." by epicfantasy, which runs 11 min. For a quicker teach, "Ancient Board Game - HNEFATAFL" by Average Geek runs 5 min.

For an opinion before you buy, start with "How to play Hnefatafl the Viking boardgame aka Tafl - like Tablut and review *Amass Games*" by AmassGames. 5 creators have reviewed it. To see it played, watch "Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl" by rvcloud, one of 12 playthroughs.

If you like it, try Mythic Mischief, Mythic Mischief Vol. II, Peacemakers: Horrors of War or Scooby-Doo! The Board Game, which share several of its mechanics.

All videos

Огляд від БельвільReview4:24

Огляд від Бельвіль

Бельвіль

Бельвіль

How to play HnefataflHow to play2:26

How to play Hnefatafl

Games of Midgard

Games of Midgard

Random (ish) play. We play HnefataflPlaythrough6:38

Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl

rvcloud

rvcloud

How to Play Hnefatafl (Viking Chess) | Board Game Rules & InstructionsHow to play2:00

How to Play Hnefatafl (Viking Chess) | Board Game Rules & Instructions

Boardgaimz

Boardgaimz

Hnefatafl - Opis i pravilaHow to play7:02

Hnefatafl - Opis i pravila

Board Gamer Srbija

Board Gamer Srbija

Tafl King Review with Tom and Zee9:04

Tafl King Review with Tom and Zee

Dice Tower Encore

Dice Tower Encore

3 Abstract Game Reviews - with Tom and ZeeReview24:21

3 Abstract Game Reviews - with Tom and Zee

The Dice Tower

The Dice Tower

HNEFATAFL - "El Ajedrez Vikingo" - ¿Cómo se juega?How to play5:49

HNEFATAFL - "El Ajedrez Vikingo" - ¿Cómo se juega?

Mi juego mis reglas

Mi juego mis reglas

How to play Viking Chess (Hnefatafl)How to play2:15

How to play Viking Chess (Hnefatafl)

Triple S Games

Triple S Games

Hnefatafl, ovvero gli scacchi vichinghi - cultureReview6:14

Hnefatafl, ovvero gli scacchi vichinghi - culture

Meowple quasi bianco

Meowple quasi bianco

Ancient Board Game - HNEFATAFLHow to play5:22

Ancient Board Game - HNEFATAFL

Average Geek

Average Geek

APRENDA A JOGAR HNEFATAFL - UM JOGO VIKINGHow to play11:37

APRENDA A JOGAR HNEFATAFL - UM JOGO VIKING

VemKaJogar

VemKaJogar

Hnefatafl - The ancient Viking Board Game - How to make it and play it.11:28

Hnefatafl - The ancient Viking Board Game - How to make it and play it.

epicfantasy

epicfantasy

Ancient Board Game - HNEFATAFL5:22

Ancient Board Game - HNEFATAFL

Average Geek

Average Geek

How to play Viking Chess (Hnefatafl)2:15

How to play Viking Chess (Hnefatafl)

Triple S Games

Triple S Games

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Discussion and Rules (Part 1)16:36

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Discussion and Rules (Part 1)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl: Game Rules - EG3:48

Hnefatafl: Game Rules - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

Play Tafl Games Online2:24

Play Tafl Games Online

Jocly

Jocly

How to Play Hnefatafl (Viking Chess) | Board Game Rules & Instructions2:00

How to Play Hnefatafl (Viking Chess) | Board Game Rules & Instructions

Boardgaimz

Boardgaimz

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Black Strategy (Part 2)14:02

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Black Strategy (Part 2)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

APRENDA A JOGAR HNEFATAFL - UM JOGO VIKING11:37

APRENDA A JOGAR HNEFATAFL - UM JOGO VIKING

VemKaJogar

VemKaJogar

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Black Strategy cont. (Part 3)12:42

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Black Strategy cont. (Part 3)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - White Strategy cont. (Part 5)18:08

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - White Strategy cont. (Part 5)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Analysis (Part 7)17:37

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Analysis (Part 7)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl: Spielregeln - EG3:48

Hnefatafl: Spielregeln - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

HNEFATAFL - "El Ajedrez Vikingo" - ¿Cómo se juega?5:49

HNEFATAFL - "El Ajedrez Vikingo" - ¿Cómo se juega?

Mi juego mis reglas

Mi juego mis reglas

How to play Hnefatafl2:26

How to play Hnefatafl

Games of Midgard

Games of Midgard

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - White Strategy (Part 4)13:15

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - White Strategy (Part 4)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Tactics (Part 6)13:09

Hnefatafl - Tafl - Corner Escape - Tactics (Part 6)

HnefataflModern

HnefataflModern

Hnefatafl - Opis i pravila7:02

Hnefatafl - Opis i pravila

Board Gamer Srbija

Board Gamer Srbija

Hnefatafl: Taktiken und Strategien - EG4:31

Hnefatafl: Taktiken und Strategien - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

How to play Hnefatafl the Viking boardgame aka Tafl - like Tablut and review *Amass Games*5:50

How to play Hnefatafl the Viking boardgame aka Tafl - like Tablut and review *Amass Games*

AmassGames

AmassGames

3 Abstract Game Reviews - with Tom and Zee24:21

3 Abstract Game Reviews - with Tom and Zee

The Dice Tower

The Dice Tower

Hnefatafl, ovvero gli scacchi vichinghi - culture6:14

Hnefatafl, ovvero gli scacchi vichinghi - culture

Meowple quasi bianco

Meowple quasi bianco

Vin vikingii! | Tafl Legends The Kings Table Boardgame Review | Tutorial în limba română9:55

Vin vikingii! | Tafl Legends The Kings Table Boardgame Review | Tutorial în limba română

Natiunea Jucatoare

Natiunea Jucatoare

Огляд від Бельвіль4:24

Огляд від Бельвіль

Бельвіль

Бельвіль

Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl6:38

Random (ish) play. We play Hnefatafl

rvcloud

rvcloud

Hnefatafl: Gameplay (Part2) - EG2:53

Hnefatafl: Gameplay (Part2) - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

World Quickplay Hnefatafl Championships 20083:42

World Quickplay Hnefatafl Championships 2008

msutherland1970

msutherland1970

Hnefatafl2:47

Hnefatafl

El baúl de los juguetes

El baúl de los juguetes

Tafl Legends The Kings Table Boardgame - Sesiune de joc28:21

Tafl Legends The Kings Table Boardgame - Sesiune de joc

Natiunea Jucatoare

Natiunea Jucatoare

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 1.5:59

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 1.

Aage Nielsen

Aage Nielsen

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 7.4:30

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 7.

Aage Nielsen

Aage Nielsen

Hnefatafl: Eine Partie (Teil1) - EG4:53

Hnefatafl: Eine Partie (Teil1) - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

Hnefatafl: Gameplay (Part1) - EG4:53

Hnefatafl: Gameplay (Part1) - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 5.4:27

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 5.

Aage Nielsen

Aage Nielsen

Hnefatafl: Eine Partie (Teil2) - EG2:53

Hnefatafl: Eine Partie (Teil2) - EG

Exacting Games

Exacting Games

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 4.7:00

Hnefatafl tournament 2011, game 4.

Aage Nielsen

Aage Nielsen

8 of 22

Creators who cover this

All channels
Exacting Games
Exacting Games
10 videos of this game
HnefataflModern
HnefataflModern
7 videos of this game
Aage Nielsen
Aage Nielsen
4 videos of this game
Natiunea Jucatoare
Natiunea Jucatoare
2 videos of this game
AmassGames
AmassGames
1 video of this game
Average Geek
Average Geek
1 video of this game
Boardgaimz
Boardgaimz
1 video of this game
Board Gamer Srbija
Board Gamer Srbija
1 video of this game

Games like this

All games

Mythic Mischief

2022·Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison

Videos
70
Creators
43
Mainly reviews

1 - 4 players·45 - 90 min·Medium weight

Mythic Mischief Vol. II

2024·Max Anderson, Zac Dixon, Austin Harrison

Videos
31
Creators
25
Mainly reviews

1 - 4 players·45 - 90 min·Medium weight

Peacemakers: Horrors of War

2024·Sami Laakso, Ville Reinikainen

Videos
62
Creators
34
Mainly reviews

1 - 4 players·60 - 120 min·Medium weight

Scooby-Doo! The Board Game

2022·Guilherme Goulart, Fred Perret

Videos
37
Creators
23
Mainly reviews and playthroughs

1 - 5 players·30 min·Light weight

About Hnefatafl

From BoardGameGeek:

Hnefatafl, also known as The Viking Game, The King's Table or simply Tafl, is one of those two-player games where the opposing sides are not equal in number. The defending side comprises twelve soldiers and a king, who start the game in a cross formation in the center of the board. Their objective is for the king to escape by reaching any of the four corner squares. The attackers comprise 24 soldiers positioned in four groups of 6 around the perimeter of the board. All pieces move like the Rook in chess and pieces are taken by "sandwiching" i.e. moving your piece so that an opponent's piece is trapped horizontally or vertically between two of yours. There is a host of information on the Internet about Hnefatafl, including many rule variations that are worth experimenting with. A copy of the game was published in issue #128 of Dragon magazine, Dec 1987 (later republished as part of a boxed set: The Best of Dragon Magazine Games in 1990). One of the oldest games in the world - traced in various versions to the Vikings, Welsh, Saxons, and Irish. The origins of this game can be traced through Petteia, played by the Romans, to the even older versions played by the Ancient Greeks and Egyptians. Derivatives of Hnefatafl include Breakthru, Break Away, Seikkailu Merellä, Tablut and Thud.

Artists

Vlad Korniuk, David Masnato, Nathan Morse, Dieter Zander

Categories

Abstract StrategyAncient

Mechanics

Grid MovementVariable Player Powers
View on BoardGameGeek ›
Home
Games
Hnefatafl
cached: 2932