Everyone should give Hnefatafl a try. Also known as "Tafl" or "the Viking game", it has its origins in Scandinavia during the Dark ages. Visiting the Inverness museum and art gallery, I came across an exhibit on this old boardgame. Guess what? It was available to buy in the gift shop. Yep, I fell for it.
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This is a simple yet clever game. It's one of the few games I've come across with uneven sides. The defenders have 12 pieces plus the King, while the attackers have a whopping 24 pieces. Like chess, its rules are easy to learn (even more so) but mastering it is difficult. It's fiendishly addictive and fun, and makes a fine addition to my game collection.
Fortunately, you don't have to go all the way to Inverness to get one. The mighty internet will point you to your own Hnefatafl set.
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