Tafl Viking Chess - Free Online Game

What is Tafl Viking Chess?

Tafl Viking Chess is a Scandinavian strategy board game that enjoyed great popularity in the Middle Ages. It's often likened to chess in Scandinavian society, offering a rich and engaging experience for players.

How to Play Tafl Viking Chess

Game Setup

• Board Size: Choose from 7, 9, 11, or 13 squares for the board.
• Victory Conditions: The game can end when a king reaches the edge or corner of the board.
• King Encirclement: The king must be surrounded by two or four sides.
• Piece Count: The number of attacking (black) and defending (white) pieces varies.

Gameplay

• Play Mode: You can compete against AI, a friend on a single device, or an online opponent in multiplayer.
• First Move: Black pieces attack first, followed by alternating turns.
• Movement: Pieces move vertically or horizontally, similar to a rook in chess.
• No Jumping: Pieces cannot jump over each other or pass through central and corner "fortresses."
• King's Position: The king can only occupy the central "throne" and the corner "fortresses."

Capturing Pieces

• Pincer Capture: To capture an enemy, two of your pieces must surround it on your turn.
• Diagonal Movement: Pieces cannot move diagonally or pinch.
• Throne Capture: The "throne" is hostile to attackers but not to defenders unless it's empty.
• Capture Not Obligatory: Capturing is not mandatory.
• Captured Pieces: Captured pieces are removed from the game.

Winning the Game

• White Victory: The white player wins if the king reaches one of the corners (if the game has corner "fortresses") or the edge (if the game has an edge "fortress").
• Black Victory: The black player wins by capturing the king and surrounding it.