Back home in Norway the Norsemen would have experienced very long winter nights (as you go to places that get nearer to the north pole, they tend to have longer nights and very short days in the winter time and very long days and short nights in the summer time)

So no rock climbing or horse racing in the dark hours. However, they did have board games, one of these was called Hnefatafl (or Kings Table).

The Hnefi (or king) has to reach the side of the board with out being trapped. This game is an early form of chess (which the Norsemen called Skaktafl)

NOTES:
This game opens in a new window. If you have problems starting the game, please make sure you do not have any 'pop-up stopper' software running.
This is a two player game, you do not play against the computer.


Why not try to play this game against a friend?
(Remember, the black piece moves first.)

Read instructions on how to play the game.

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