Ancient Map Viking board games DALDOS / SAHKKU and HNEFATAFL Ancient Map Series. Three Complete Games. Free domestic shipping.

This two-sided board game set has Hnefatafl (more commonly known as Tafl, or Viking chess) on one side, and on the other side is a combination board used to play two different run-and-capture games, the Viking Daldos, and the Sami Sahkku. This set has the game mat looking like an ancient medieval map. The board is hand printed and made from hand colored and sealed duck cloth fabric, so no two are the same (the photo shows some typical stain coloring) all close but each unique. The images on the boards are hand printed and are given a slightly distressed look. The set comes with all the pieces to play these three unique, and historic games, rules, and storage.

The games:
Henfatafl, or Tafl is an ancient Viking board game that was the most popular game in all of Europe prior to the introduction of chess. It is identified in the Viking Sagas as an important element for a warrior to learn and play well in order to become successful. Tafl has uneven numbers of playing pieces per side yet maintains balanced play for both players due to different end game conditions. The "Swedes" are outnumbered two to one by "Muscovites" at the start of the game. It is a very fun and easy to learn with interesting with different strategies for each side. The Swede or Kings side must have the king escape to one of four corners of the mat to win, while the attacking Muscovites must prevent it. Chess like strategies but all Talf pieces move the same, so much easier to learn! It's truly a cross between Checkers and Chess.

Daldos is a two-player running-fight style game. The name most likely means "one, two", referencing the two four-sided dice that adds the element of chance to the game play. Boards dating from the mid nineteenth century have been found in southwestern Scandinavia, though the game most likely dates from earlier times. Daldos boards are often boat-shaped, hopefully my graphic gives homage to this, as well as honoring our more ancient, rock carving ancestors. Pieces are Dalled into play rolling two four-sided dice. A Dall is also a one on the dice. player take turns moving pieces around the board using the rolls or the dice trying to capture your opponent pieces. Fast paced and fun!

Sahkku is also a two-player running-fight game. It looks very similar to Daldos but game play is very different. Sahkku means "game of fines", the reason being unclear. Played among the native Sami people of northern Scandinavia during the Viking age and still to this day in local regions. This game not only adds a third four-sided die, but also a powerful Royal piece that is "shared" between the opposing players! One of my favorites. Still a run-and-capture game yes, but it can play even faster than Daldos with rollercoaster wins!

The board is approximately 11.5" by 15.5" inches, and the playing pieces are approximately 3/4" each. The set comes with playing pieces, pieces storage bag, dice, two-sided fabric mat playing board, rule booklets, and storage container. This Ancient Map set is the product of over ten months of trial and error. Working a dream into a tangible item is an amazing thing especially when you get this close to that fleeting original thought. I love maps and games especially old ones, why not put the two together?