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Viking Chess: Hnefatafl

Play the ancient game of "Hnefatafl" in style on your PC, in Singleplayer mode against the AI or Multiplayer over the internet. "Hnefatafl" is a strategic, chess-like boardgame with assumed origins all the way back to the Viking era.

Steam Page
Developer
Diamond Sky Games
Publisher
Rain Games
Release
March 5, 2020
6 years and 151 days ago
Steam Reviews
Very Positive67 reviews89.6%

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Notes
Latest Contributor: IGF TeamEdit notes
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Developer scaleThe operating scale of the game's developer.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Publisher scaleThe operating scale of the game's publisher.
A separate publisher is listed for this release.
Search Google: Is Viking Chess: Hnefatafl self-published or published by Rain Games?Publisher statusHow the game's publishing relationship is classified.
Search Google: How is Viking Chess: Hnefatafl and Rain Games funded?FundingThe known source of funding behind the game.
Search Google: Who controls the creative direction and IP for Viking Chess: Hnefatafl and Diamond Sky Games?Creative controlWho appears to retain creative control of the game.
Updated: Jul 13, 2026Release statusWhether and how the game has been released.
The game was released through a separate publisher.

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About the Game

Play the ancient game of "Hnefatafl" in style on your PC, in Singleplayer mode against the AI or Multiplayer over the internet.

"Hnefatafl" is a strategic, chess-like boardgame with assumed origins all the way back to the Viking era.
Put on your viking helmet, grab a horn of honeymead and get ready to crush your opponent in a mighty clash of wits and skill.

Game Features:

  • Ruleset:
    Viking Chess: Hnefatafl uses the popular ruleset for Hnefatafl; "Copenhagen Ruleset", based on the ruleset "Fetlar Hnefatafl".
  • Singleplayer versus AI
  • Multiplayer for 2 players over the internet
  • Local Multiplayer for 2 players
  • Interactive tutorial
    Read less, play more! Learn the game mechanics in an interactive, step-by-step tutorial!
  • Sweet 3D-graphics!
    Handcrafted with love and attention to detail, to excite your eyes as well as your strategic skills!
  • Unlockables!
    Adorn your player profile name with unlockable prefix titles, showcasing your skill!
    Can you collect them all?

Game Mechanics:

  • Two-player, turnbased game
  • Asynchronous boardgame:
    Play as the Attacker faction counting 24 pieces or the Defender faction counting 13 pieces including 1 King
  • Different win-conditions:
    As the Defenders, move your King to one of the four corner tiles to escape and win the game, or protect your King in an "Edge Fort".
    As the Attackers, capture the King by surrounding him on four adjacent sides, or enclosing all escape routes.
  • Movement mechanics:
    All pieces move vertically or horizontally like Rooks in Chess
  • Capture mechanics:
    Many exciting ways to capture opposing pieces! Do flanking moves, trap your opponent in a "Shieldwall" move, or send your opponent back to his viking boat in tears with a "Multi-capture" move!
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