Irish Fidchell / Viking Hnefatafl

I have a version of the rules typed up somewhere that I bring to events, but in the meantime I can provide a couple great online resources for the rules of the many variants of this game:

• Hnefatafl at gamecabinet.com
• Hnefatafl - the Strategic Board Game of the Vikings (also attached in PDF below)
• Play Hnefatafl online at aagenielsen.dk

Comyn has a board and pieces that he made with Grimnir many years ago that he brings to events. Comyn's Fitchneal board The basic idea of Fidchell (also spelled Fitchneal) is this: One player is the king and will control all black pieces. The King also commands 8 men at arms. The King is in his hall (on the center square) surrounded by his men (in various starting layouts) when the player controlling the white pieces attacks. The attacking player has 16 pieces and starts along the perimeter of the board (entering the King's hall). All pieces move like a rook in chess, although alternatively the pieces may move like the King in chess - one square at a time, or may move a number of dice squares at a time in a straight line. No diagonal moves are permitted. A piece is removed when a player places a piece of his color on either end of a defending piece. The King is captured when all four sides are blocked in this manner. The object for the King is to get off the board, while for the attackers it is to slaughter the hapless King. There are many variants for play which may might discuss. It makes it more interesting to play such that the King can only escape out of one of the four corners of the board (call them the doors of the hall) though you can play that he can escape by reaching any edge square.