We played viking chess? | Hnefatafl Let's Play

[@Martyn405]

Given how quick these games can go - this could be a good "winner stays on" tournament game for a stream.

[@Mr_TheHan]

This could be a replacement for the office Crokinole tournament for now!

[@alexandrebour7494]

1)First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9)Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

[@garudo7352]

@@alexandrebour7494 This all depends on what ruleset you are playing. There's no commanders and such in "standard hnefatafl" :)

[@alexandrebour7494]

@@garudo7352 I've just realized I forgot to write a preamble in the comment. I want to describe my rules to improve the balance and especially the complexity of Hnefatafl. Anyway, it doesn't matter anymore because I've updated my rules and they are radically different from the ones I have written here. Are you interested in my new ideas ?

[@garudo7352]

@@alexandrebour7494 Ah, I see :) Would be interesting to read about your ideas.

[@GeekTalkwithMerg]

Me at 14:00: move the king all the way to the edge. Him: maybe just two squares forward. Me: you fucked up.

[@jamesanthony8438]

So is Johnny going to bring Neffletaff into his other RPGs? Ooh! Maybe have an escort mission where the Oxventurers have to get the Geth Neffletaff champion to the grand tournament alive! =)

[@AwesomeWookiee]

Thud was based on Hnefatafl! It's why I bought a set as a teenager, though even my nerdy siblings wouldn't stoop to play it. Also where are you playing Thud? Time for the rabbit hole!

[@JohnnyChiodini]

I have a physical copy!

[@Lazarus1095]

Yes, that's exactly what I was thinking!

[@bunburyist981]

The Discworld books also mention the game Hnaflbaflsniflwhifltafl. I remember Vetinari and Reacher Gilt talking about the board in Vetinari's office in Going Postal.

[@Teiwaz787]

Indeed it is. Still have my physical copy. I think it is a bit broken though as if one of the sides takes on a certain strategy they can't lose. Has been awhile though

[@davidioanhedges]

I too have a physical copy of Thud! - it's definitely a Tafl game but it's more imbalanced, but meant to be played twice one each side ...

[@Teiwaz787]

Good game gents! Generally if 'black' focus on closing of the corners it is hard for white to win, however there are strategies to try and counteract this. If your looking for a cheap portable set I recommend the set from the British Museum shop, cloth board means you can just carry everything around in a appropriately thematic small fabric bag. Most other ancient games have already been mentioned in video or comments but would recommend Chaturanga, Chess's Indian grandpappy, which can play 4 player and has a die! Also for something that feels ancient and I absolutely love 'Element' (think Avatar the Last Airbender chess) 🤘

[@kennystoneman2584]

Thank you so much for pegging this as Thud!, Johnny. Thought I was gonna be alone in that. :)

[@parro1210]

24.40 actually captures 2 pieces. really cool game and hilarious jokes along the way.

[@MichaelWarman]

8:35 Jerry's Game, released alongside A Bug's Life. I believe it was the first time Disney tried that format of a short with their main animations.

[@derschwartzadder]

Geri's game, actually 🤓. Released in 1997.

[@marcelmartin5665]

I absolutely love hnefatafl. My father found out about it when i was a child and we always loved playing it and still do to this day. Such a stone cold banger. Glad you present the game to a wider audience.

[@marcelmartin5665]

@Dale Macarena no, I'm from germany. So I guess it makes sense that he would stumble upon it seeing how we kind of live next to all the viking stuff : -D

[@alexandrebour7494]

I found a way to make Copenhagen Hnefatafl more balanced : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 8) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

[@davidtravis1384]

I've been playing Hnefatafl (also called Viking Chess) for years and it's a great game. As one of the ancient battle board games, chess and draughts being the other two, Hnefatafl replicates military tactics better than the other two. Actually the game Thud was inspired by Hnefatafl. I just want to correct a few things that were said. The first is that the two sides are called Attackers (dark pieces) and Defenders (light pieces, the King's Defenders). Second, all pieces can cross over the Throne (the center square reserved for the King only) when the King is not on it, but no other piece except the King can stop on that square. One other thing is that statistically the Defenders have a slight edge in winning the game over the Attackers. That edge disappears when you have two experienced players. Finally, Hnefatafl is only one version of a number of games refered to as Tafl Games. Like the game of Go, the Tafl Games are played on various size boards. The most common traditional boards are 7X7, 9X9 and 11X11. There are also larger boards being used these days. I hope your video inspires people to try this ancient game.

[@studentjohn]

I was wondering about the replication of military tactics - watching this, as a newcomer to the game, it does look like it's closer to the way violent encounters usually play out - for example you take a piece by 'sandwiching' it, and that arrangement of having an enemy in front and behind seems like it would usually result in defeat (unless you had some other advantage) and being taken out of action.

[@davidtravis1384]

One of the best ways to visualize Hnefatafl is seeing the game the way the Vikings did. The King sits on his Throne in his Castle, surrounded by his Defenders. The Attackers surround the Castle, on all four sides, and lay siege to the Castle. It's impossible for the King to survive in his Castle so he must escape and seek sanctuary in one of the four allied areas i.e. corners. The objective for the Attackers is to go on the offensive to capture the King and simultaneously built a blockade to stop the King from escaping. The Defender's objective is to defend the King from the Attackers and simultaneously try to break through the blockades so the King can get to safety. Despite their names both sides flip back and forth playing offense and defense. It is this back and forth in roles that makes the game take on a true battle feel.

[@Torso]

Royal game of Ur next...an even older game!!

[@williamblack6912]

Backgammon

[@Fidgottio]

I've seen that being played. It looks really fun

[@doomyboi]

Literally just tried a game of Ur online, it's every bit as frustrating as I thought it would be lol

[@alexandrebour7494]

I think I managed to make it fair for white side but I'm desperately looking for someone to popularise the rules and to organise tournaments. The rules I describe are in addition of the Copenhagen Hnefatafl rules : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white ordinary piece, black ordinary piece or the King too but a commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces). 7) When the King is blocked on the edge of the board (not next to a corner square, so this rule doesn't concern a2, a10, b11, j11, k10, k2, j1, b1) by 3, if, after 15 white moves, white doesn't manage to free its King, then black wins. 8)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces. 10) White wins : either its King reaches 1 of the 4 corners (a1, a11, k11, k1) or white manages to create an edge castle where the King moves on the edge safely following the Copenhagen rules. Optional rule (I'm not sure to use it) : King cannot move to 6 and 7 squares so as to he can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 squares.

[@VTimmoni]

My daughter and I built a board out of Lego. It's a really fun game. I highly recommend it.

[@douglassedivy9296]

I remember playing this on a PC way back in the 90's. I can't even remember the title of it, but they had an interesting single player setup and allowed two player option which in those days meant sharing one computer. The PC-version allowed you to add special pieces which had special moves, but you could play the classic version as well. The single player mode had a story where Odin, trying to figure out how to avert Ragnarok, visits a small tavern and plays the game to see strategies within where he might change the foretold outcome. There were several computer players you went through, and you had to beat them twice -- once as offense and once as defense -- before you could move on to the next. It was so long ago, I don't recall the name, but the board set-up made me go, "Ah! I've played this!" So thank you for the trip down memory lane.

[@Painocus]

99% sure that's King's Table: The Legend of Ragnarok, unless another extremely similar Hnefatafl PC game exists out there.

[@garudo7352]

Johnny is a man of culture for knowing about the old man playing chess against himself in that Pixar short. Hat off! 😁

[@keegantrott1016]

This was delightful. Thanks for the video!

[@IcarusRuthven]

There are variants in board and rules, but they're all pretty fun. I actually discovered hnefatafl a few years before reading any Pratchett, and immediately recognized it in Thud!

[@IcarusRuthven]

Oh, and to be the manliest possible Viking, you needed martial prowess, a silver tongue when it came to song/poetry, and skill at the game table. Kind of like the Greek education in athletics, music, and mathematics. Very holistic approaches in old civilizations.

[@DapperGentsClub]

Love this game I have a physical copy, it's easy to learn hard to master especially as the attackers, I've won a few times with just the king.

[@danimitetwitch]

Played life size hnefatal at a convention years ago. Was really fun cuz all the pieces were cosplayers.

[@garudo7352]

Is there a video of this? 😃

[@danimitetwitch]

@@garudo7352 kzbin.info/www/bejne/ramWpouuedBjaLs

[@Fafhrd42]

I kind of want somebody to make Battle Hnefatafl, now. Where the captures are violent animations. Tbh, I'm kind of thinking of making it myself...

[@alexandrebour7494]

I found a way to make Copenhagen Hnefatafl more balanced : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white and black ordinary piece and the King too. A commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 3 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces. 7)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 8) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces.

[@Painocus]

@@alexandrebour7494 If you want balance play actual historical: When not near the castle the king can be captured like any other piece and he escapes on any edge square, not just the corners. Solves the balance without inventing a bunch of new rules.

[@alexandrebour7494]

@@Painocus I've already played Tawlbwrdd Bell (king captured by 2 and edge escape) and I can tell you it's still in favor for black. Furthermore, the rules I outlined previously are outdated. Now, my rules require special pieces for all the black pieces.

[@Painocus]

@@alexandrebour7494: Bell's Tawlbwrdd (or throw table as he calls it) reconstruction also doesn't allow pieces to land between two enemy pieces and uses dice, so I doubt it's comparability. Besides from what I've heard his board layout reconstruction itself gives an unusual advantage to attackers (whom I'm assuing you mean when you say "black").

[@AbyssDarkstar]

As someone who plays Hnefatafi, I really appreciated this video... even if I it hurt my head at the moves being played :P

[@impracticaljesters5341]

How would you have played?

[@DevilboyScooby]

Hnefatafl: When you try and use all your Scrabble tiles in one go...

[@TheQrstOne]

The new kwyjibo? 🤣

[@DevilboyScooby]

@@TheQrstOne *old? 😂

[@TheQrstOne]

@@DevilboyScooby werd! Lol It's new to me. 😁

[@DevilboyScooby]

@@TheQrstOne I know they've been on for yonks, but I have a feeling this game was invented before The Simpsons 😆

[@TheQrstOne]

@@DevilboyScooby, The Simpsons were ancient when the world was still young. 😆

[@soulsmith5935]

Two things I've heard differently (rule wise) are that you cannot land between 2 opposing pieces, would be considered sacrificing that token, and that the king can only move one space at a time instead of the whole board, maybe that's why other people say that playing the darker color is easier? Dont know, I like the set in this video too though, always cool to see more people getting into it

[@FrankiiDoodle]

Nine man's Morris (which has all sorts of different names!) is a really good game, I think there's a Roman variant of it too

[@LanHua711]

I’m writing a book on that uses this game in it so thank you for the research material. But side note, was I the only one at 19:35 screaming internally, ‘you can take the king!’ There’s an opening for brown to easily take at that point.

[@DauntlessPanda1986]

Cannot wait to get a physical copy of this game as part of the Hel: the last saga Kickstarter

[@PyroGoBoom]

This game is on the app store, and I had for a good while im so excited someone else actually found such a gem

[@ladyicondraco]

This was fun to watch! And we love your 4 hr sign offs!

[@adambicknell9185]

Xianqi (I've probably spelled that wrong) would be a good shout for one of these

[@odysyr]

I was taught this by my cousins from the shetland isles! I immediately forgot how to play but it's jolly good fun!

[@dravenwest9698]

The board state in the top left heavily favored Johnny at around the 20:35 mark like two or three moves away from victory favor.

[@lukas8670]

If the throne can be used to take light pieces then Wheels missed _so_ _many_ moves in the first game where he could have eaten away at Johnny's pieces on the side closer to the camera

[@seancarnell1503]

Just downloaded a version on Google play. Very customizable. 7x7 to 19x19 boards, edge escape vs corner escape victory, berserk rules (whatever that is), sandwich the king or enclose, escape forts... almost overwhelming. I've been "practicing" (read: losing against AI) on a 9x9 to match a small leather pouch travel set I made using those fish tank rocks as pieces. 2cmx2cm squares seems to be the sweet spot.

[@The_Tactical_Taco]

24:45 You forgot to also remove the one between the throne and the attacker. Did not really matter for the end result, but this is one people could easily miss.

[@houstoncreed]

That’s interesting about the throne square. The rules I have state the attackers may move through it, just as long as the piece doesn’t stop on the throne.

[@danielelseth4106]

Can “Oh, Johnny Chiodini!” be a new Dicebreaker-based PG expletive?

[@alexandrebour7494]

I think I managed to make it fair for white side but I'm desperately looking for someone to popularise the rules and to organise tournaments. The rules I describe are in addition of the Copenhagen Hnefatafl rules : 1) First of all, black pieces aren't all the same. There are commanders on b6, f10, f2 and j6. Commanders may make a short orthogonal jump (no capture) over a white ordinary piece, black ordinary piece or the King too but a commander cannot jump over another commander. 2)All black pieces including the commanders can't move to 5 and 7 squares so as to they can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10 squares. 3) The King may make a short orthogonal jump over a white ordinary piece from the throne. 4) There's no multiple capture. The player has to choose which piece to take. 5) The King can be blocked next to a corner square according to these 2 schemes : a) black pieces (ordinary or commander) are on a2 and c1, the King comes on b1 and a third black piece (ordinary or commander) (which is NOT from a2) comes on b2. If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. b) a commander or a black ordinary piece is on c1, the King comes on b1 and a commander from a2, b11 OR k2 comes on b2 (this scheme only applies when it's a commander and only if the commander comes from a square which is next to a corner square : a commander from a2, b11 or k2 in this case). If white didn't manage to free its King within 6 white moves, black wins. 6) Shieldwall rules : When pieces manage to surround other pieces in shieldwall next to a corner square, then the player has to choose which piece to take but, otherwise, if the shieldwall capture isn't next to a corner square, then all pieces are captured (the shieldwall corner capture only applies when white captures black pieces). 7) When the King is blocked on the edge of the board (not next to a corner square, so this rule doesn't concern a2, a10, b11, j11, k10, k2, j1, b1) by 3, if, after 15 white moves, white doesn't manage to free its King, then black wins. 8)There's a draw game in only 2 cases : a) a white ordinary piece and a black piece (ordinary or commander) repeat the same move 3 times except if white create a false edge fort (a fort where there's no movement of the King on the edge of the board) then white loses. b) black isn't able to surround completely white because of lack of pieces and white can't escape nor create an edge fort but white has 4 or more ordinary pieces. 9) Black wins if it manages to capture the King (by 4 or by 3 next to the throne or next to the corner following the previous rules), by surrounding white or if it didn't manage to surround white but it left 3 or less ordinary white pieces. 10) White wins : either its King reaches 1 of the 4 corners (a1, a11, k11, k1) or white manages to create an edge castle where the King moves on the edge safely following the Copenhagen rules. Optional rule (I'm not sure to use it) : King cannot move to 6 and 7 squares so as to he can move to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9 and 10 squares.

[@burningphoneix]

The defenders actually have quite an advantage because of the 4 piece surround rule for the King. It's quite difficult to win as black

[@Dominik_Dollinger]

You should play the game TAC. It looks simple at first, but has a surprising depth. Best played with four people!

[@jillt6748]

I got really excited when I saw the title to this because I'd heard that Thud was based on Hnefatafl. So cool to see where Sir Terry got his inspiration. :)

[@glitch1126]

Great video, and great game! Wheels somehow missed his chance at victory at 21:30, when Johnny moved his king unprotected from the far side of the board!

[@Jayman1clone]

How's that? I can see him being surround on two sides, but not four, and I thought Wheels said to capture the king you had to surround it on all sides?

[@glitch1126]

@@Jayman1clone Haha, well then, that's me forgetting the rules mid game!

[@mastercormac1357]

The origins of this game are somewhat shrouded in mystery but this game is very heavily related to early ages in Ireland. It looks more or less exactly the same but in Ireland it's called Ficheall (pronounced: fi-hill or at least that's how it's pronounced in southern dialects.) Each corner is a province in Ireland and in the center in the 5th province which back when this game was played existed (there's only 4 provinces now). It was the county of Meath because the high king lived there. The center piece represents the high king and the pieces around him are his protectors. The outside pieces are people trying to overthrow the high king. Side note Ficheall adapted over time to become the Irish word for chess.

[@Giga-lemesh]

Cracking video, loved learning about naff taffy

[@kcollier2192]

At least you'll get a better ending than playing A Game of Thrones

[@charliethemagpie523]

That was fabulous! I really love Thud, too - it'd be great to see you both play a game of that.

[@elfaringvarsson8102]

Clicked the link for the title, stayed for the pronunciation of hnefatafl :D

[@lukerettie]

A very fun game, though there are a few variants as mentioned. I made myself one of the Ard Ri variant. Lots of fun. Also made a Nine Mens Morris board on the flip side too

[@Neruomir]

you can play a 7x7 tafl game on a chessboard using the chess pawns and king the rest of the pieces you can line up on the 8th rank and file to mark the play area.

[@MightyJoeYoung1991]

Thanks for sharing, gonna enjoy playing this at Larp 🤘

[@toymachine2328]

How's about a game of Ur?

[@SeanvanderM]

We got a hnefatafl set when on holiday in Norway, it’s such a good game.

[@dannyblue54]

i have a hard version of this game I bought at a goodwill maybe 20 years ago. My wife and I still play every once and a while

[@davidioanhedges]

Thud! is a Tafl game as well,

[@axeldornelles5292]

Whells absolutely lost a bunch of oportunities in that first game.

[@syaoran5476]

Nobody makes me wanna play board games more than you lot. I used to find them tedious but now I realize I was just playing with the wrong people

[@theplummetingscotsman5874]

Saw the thumbnail and instantly thought of Thud! Less than 2 minutes in and Discworld is referenced. Has to be an actual Thud! game out there.

[@charliethemagpie523]

There is, and it's great!

[@ancientgaming4698]

Nice to see this game getting more attention! Great video :) I made a video about its history a while back myself

[@llamabing5215]

First thing I thought was "ohh someone made thud"

[@bluefrodo3997]

I've been playing AC Valhalla recently so when I saw this I knew I needed to watch this

[@lewisprice1512]

Huh.... This is mechanically identical to another chess-esque game, from the other side of the world, Hasami Shogi, but that one's symmetrical. Weird how things like that happen.

[@MichaelBerthelsen]

Let me know if you wanna practice/play some Go.😉😁

[@Caramaram]

For other great old games, how about Othello? (or Reversi as many call it). It's a personal favourite.

[@choupi715]

Is it possible to play with strangers on this mod for Tabletop Simulator ? Or just with people on our friends list ?

[@meff3258]

Thank you, now I shall be building my own Snuffletuffle game

[@toymachine2328]

It's a nice TTS mod, but be sure to support the creators.

[@MaxWinner]

I had to stop and watch the Pixar short - it is very good 👍

[@Roguechan]

Hey... I have a question - do you need 4 pieces to pin the King or something? Because at the "nudging the King" moment at 18:08, the attackers have an open line behind him to get to him.

[@nickdejager8873]

Thank you so much Johnny. Now I want to drop 600 dollars on a board and pieces after only a few minutes on Etsy... But good game, thanks for the video.

[@Pokarface7]

$600?! This looks like a board any Turkish woodworker who can make backgammon boards could make for less than $60

[@rengarcia5189]

I don't see how it's possible to flank the kimg on all four sides when he can simply jet away to the other side of the board. We play with a standard flank to take the king.

[@MrDudeshutup123]

Be so good to see you play a game of Thud at some point.

[@yoavjacoby8246]

I assure you, After playing for a while, watching this will be physically painful XD

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

If you want to have some fun pronouncing the name in the original language, here you go Modern Icelandic pronunciation: Knevatapl Old Norse pronunciation: Hnevatafl Pronunciation help: -'a' is always like in Southern English 'a'-sound as in 'Bath' -'e' is a short 'e' like in 'bet' -'hn' is like pronouncing an 'n' but instead of voicing it you just blow air out of your nose -'kn' is pronounced like 'k' followed by an 'n'. It's more important that there isn't a vowel sound between them than the 'n' being fully voiced. -'l' is a "light" 'l', not a "full" 'l'. Same rule as with the 'kn', the 'l' is allowed to sound like a hiss so long as it comes directly after the consonant before it.

[@cameronhector9074]

Couple of thoughts: - I liked that you describe the 'a' as how people in the South of England pronounce it in Bath, because I live in Bristol and hear both short 'a' and long 'ah' pronunciations hahaha - Is the 'p' in the Icelandic a true p, or a þ sound?

[@rasmusn.e.m1064]

@@cameronhector9074 Ah, I forgot about the East-West divide again... Anyway, it's actually pronounced like a short version of the long 'ah'. The 'p' It's pronounced like a 'p' at the end of a word like 'tip'. -So without much aspiration.

[@deebernaers137]

Unless I'm mistaken, Wheels could have made a winning move just before 21:50 mark (when he says "oh poop"), by moving his piece in the upper right corner of the screen (next to the haven) to meet the king. No?

[@ruthadamson5128]

No, the king must be surrounded on all four sides, not just two like the others.

[@deebernaers137]

@@ruthadamson5128 ah thanks, I missed that.

[@anitaavila3541]

Whoa, this is very interesting... I play chess but I just found out about this.

[@tairneanaich]

Senet next?? Egyptian Chess

[@garudo7352]

Have you tried the Copenhagen variant? :)

[@Ebolson1019]

Thud is actually based on Hnefatafl

[@Ty_The_Bonsai_Guy]

A fun game to watch. 👏

[@fireheartLuke24v32]

Insert soundtrack: roaring fire

[@BasicBrit]

Did wheels have game there at the end? His piece in the top right could've captured couldn't it?

[@Xenophaige_reads]

Thud is based on this and you should play both sides in hneftafl too

[@GrimoireOfJank]

Kinda reminds me of "Go"

[@nunyobidniz]

I need this game

[@elricthebald]

Half way through the video and Johnny could have easily won half a dozen times.

[@randallporter6841]

At 13:50 white has a win.

[@973daydreamer]

ooohh I love hnefatafl!

[@johnpotts8308]

It's too easy for the "King" to win (I believe the game Thud is based on it). Nice looking game pieces, though.

[@skeome]

"We thought we'd take it all the way back to 1021, or whenever this game was invented." You're off by a fuck ton, the game is MUCH older. Hnefatafl was at it's most popular in 400 B.C.

[@williamblack6912]

My wallet and my partner are cursing you right know

[@ArguzB760]

came here from Vinland Saga

[@12b_engineer]

You guys made a mistake second game. A players peice can't stop between two of his opponents.

[@JarrekAsF]

They said at the beginning that their rules say they can but I agree that it didn’t make much sense

[@Copywritingcom]

I think the king is only supposed to move 3 spaces at a time.

[@jokercardtan7381]

Some one pls make to sell on malaysia pls, shipping more $ for item so sad

[@wren_of_rats85]

google "The game of ur" Ibelieve it's called. that could be fun.

[@codygonzalez3764]

Thud!!!!!!!!!!!

[@person1860]

This game seems to benefit the white player a lot more, seems poorly balanced.

[@lilymorgan7932]

2:32 I like that😍💋 💝💖❤️