Hnefatafl

Hnefatafl is an Imperial boardgame and often played by the Vlka Fenryka.^[2] This strategy game has been described as playing an outnumbered king that is besieged on all sides.^[1]

Overview

Hnefatafl is played on a flat gridded tafl board by 2 players with either white or black pieces. One player with white pieces starts in the middle, the single king in the center of the board ringed by their pawn pieces. They are surrounded by a dark army of the other player's dark pawn pieces, arranged along the edges of the board. The aim of the game is to either kill, if attacking, or to have the fugitive king escape to a corner square of the board, if defending.^[1]

The primarch Leman Russ was known to play this strategy game effectively, finding it easy to win. Malcador the Sigilite used to play this game, as well.^[1]

See also

• Imperial Culture
• Space Wolves
• Fenrisian Lexicon

Trivia

The following information is not to be regarded as officially sanctioned and/ or is not written from an in-universe point of view. A detailed explanation of the term "Trivia" as used in the Lexicanum can be found here.

Hnefatafl is a reference to tafl games, also known as hnefatafl games. This family of boardgames was once popular in northern European countries before being supplanted by chess in the 12th century. Many Scandenavian countries of the time played tafl games.

Sources

• 1: Wolfsbane (Novel), Chapter 6
• 2: Vengeful Spirit (Novel), ^[Help]