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Hnefatafl Trivia Quiz

"Hnefatafl" is a board game created by the Vikings, in which the red army needs to get their king to the edge of the board, and the white army needs to capture the king. This is a quiz all about this game.

A multiple-choice quiz by niffweed17. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
niffweed17

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
154,937

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
271

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The white army has twice as many men as the red army?

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. What is the objective of the game? Hint

To destroy the king or to move the king to the edge of the board

To decimate the red army before 40 moves or to keep the red army safe for 40 moves.

To capture all of the opponents pieces by entrapping them between two pieces

To pick up the board and throw it to the ground in fury

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Question 3 of 10

3. What are the dimensions of a standard Hnefatafl board? Hint

11 X 11

9 X 9

10 X 10

8 X 8

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Question 4 of 10

4. The red player moves first?

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. How many spaces may any piece besides the king move? Hint

2 Spaces

Any number of spaces

1 Space

It depends on the position of the piece

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Question 6 of 10

6. How many spaces may the king move? Hint

It depends on the position of the piece

Any number of spaces

2 Spaces

3 Spaces

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Question 7 of 10

7. How may any piece other than the King be captured? Hint

Pieces other than the king cannot be captured

By entrapping the piece between 2 other pieces

By jumping over the piece

By withdrawal away from the piece

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Question 8 of 10

8. How may the king be captured? Hint

By replacement, as in chess

By being entrapped by 3 pieces

By being entrapped by 4 pieces

By being entrapped by 2 pieces

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which army are the red and white pieces supposed to represent in the game hnefatafl? Hint

The French and Swedish armies, respectively

The French and Muscovite armies, respectively

The Swedish and Muscovite armies, respectively

The Muscovite and Swedish armies, respectively

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following countries or areas under Viking influence did not play hnefatafl? Hint

Wales

England

Ireland

Newfoundland

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The white army has twice as many men as the red army?

Answer: True

The white army has 24 men located around the edges of the board and the red army has 12 men plus one king in the middle of the board.

2. What is the objective of the game?

Answer: To destroy the king or to move the king to the edge of the board

Actually, disputes over the rules caused many a destroyed Hnefatafl board in the midst of the Viking people. If you didn't know this you should have been paying more attention to the introduction.

3. What are the dimensions of a standard Hnefatafl board?

Answer: 11 X 11

The gameplay would be very interesting on a much larger board, such as 20 X 20, with many more pieces.

4. The red player moves first?

Answer: False

The white player moves first, or the red player would have a huge advantage.

5. How many spaces may any piece besides the king move?

Answer: Any number of spaces

But the pieces may not jump over other pieces.

6. How many spaces may the king move?

Answer: Any number of spaces

An interesting rule that was never enforced in many hnefatafl games played by Vikings was that no piece other than the king may sit in the center square, where the king starts in a game of hnefatafl.

7. How may any piece other than the King be captured?

Answer: By entrapping the piece between 2 other pieces

Withdrawal from the piece is when a red/white piece is standing next to a piece of the other color and moves directly away any number of spaces from the oppositely colored piece. It is a very interesting method from a variant on chess that I know, Ultima. I think I'll create a quiz on Ultima soon.

8. How may the king be captured?

Answer: By being entrapped by 4 pieces

If the king were captured by replacement, the game would be far easier for the white army.

9. Which army are the red and white pieces supposed to represent in the game hnefatafl?

Answer: The Swedish and Muscovite armies, respectively

I have also heard that the Red pieces are supposed to represent Norwegian armies.

10. Which of the following countries or areas under Viking influence did not play hnefatafl?

Answer: Newfoundland

The native indians in Newfoundland most certainly did not play hnefatafl.

Source: Author niffweed17

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor silverginger before going online.
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