The first book of its kind, Hnefatafl: The Sacred Game of Britain, Ireland and Scandinavia discusses the ancient games of Northern Europe, particularly the games now known as Hnefatafl. Beginning with the history of ancient games across the world and their divinatory uses by traditional cultures and ending with the modern history of Hnefatafl, this book covers the history, geographic spread and mythology surrounding Hnefatafl. All three of the main cultures of Northern Europe are covered, British, Irish and Scandinavian, and the games of each group are discussed (Gwyddbwyll, Fidchell, Brandubh, Tawlbwrdd, Buanbach and Alea Evangelii) with revealing excerpts from the legends and sagas of these groups as well as archaeological finds and the contentious conclusions surrounding them. A chapter on the mythology of Hnefatafl is included as well as chapters on the rules and notated example games to help any reader along with their skills and knowledge of Hnefatafl.

Hnefatafl, the ancient Norse game of strategy, has intrigued scholars for more than a century. It was played not only in Scandinavia, but in the other countries where Scandinavians settled: the British Isles, Northern France and Germany, Ukraine, Iceland, Greenland and Newfoundland. It may have even reached such exotic places as Constantinople and mainland North America. After a period of obscurity, the game is once again gaining popularity. This book acts as an introduction to the game. It takes the reader through the game's history, starting with the Greek and Roman games that preceded it, through its history of expansion and decline, and onto the modern revival and its resurgence in the present day. Alongside the historical content the book gives full rules for a number of versions of hnefatafl old and new, as well as ancestor and descendant games. Illustrations include archaeological finds, explanatory diagrams, and photographs of games from the author's collection.

Board games have been played throughout the world for thousands of years. Many times, in many different cultures, people have amused themselves by devising mock races, battles and hunts, played in miniature on a small surface. The rules and the level of sophistication has changed through the ages, but the general idea has remained the same. Some of the oldest games, like backgammon, chess and draughts, are still popular today. This book looks at twelve different games taken from various periods of history. Most will not be recognised by the general public, but deserve to be better known. They are pachisi, halma, agon, tâb, fanorona, nine men's morris, wari, konane, xiang qi, tablut, asalto and renju. Each game has a whole chapter to itself, which includes a history, the rules, and a section on strategy and tactics. It is the author's intention that the reader will gain appreciation and enthusiasm for these wonderful old games, and be entertained by them for years to come.

The second book in the Hnefatafl series by this author, A Kingly Pattern: The Art and Science of playing Hnefatafl focuses on the manners and methods of gameplay of this ancient game. This book goes over the basic rules of Hnefatafl as well as an analysis of several games for each size of Hnefatafl boards, 7x7, 9x9, 11x11 and 19x19 both with the King winning on the edge of the board and on the corners.

This encyclopedic volume provides the rules and methods of play for more than 180 different games: Ma-jong, Hazard, Wei-ch'i (Go), Backgammon, Pachisi, and many others. Over 300 photographs and line drawings.

This lavishly illustrated 736-page reference provides a lifetime of entertainment! It contains complete rules, playing tips, and instructive move-by-move examples of 65 fun and diverse games. They range from Senat, a pastime enjoyed by King Tut, to Hex, invented by a 20th-century mathematician; from strategy games like Siege of Paris to dice games like Chuck-a-Luck to chase games like Pachisi; from Asian Shogi to African Wari; and from traditional Chess and Go to modern creations like Mastermind and Othello. Colorful illustrations show old-time and modern players, game boards, and equipment alongside fascinating anecdotes and curious facts about games throughout history. For every player, this one’s a sure winner!

Hnefatafl, the ancient Norse game of strategy, has intrigued scholars for more than a century. In this book, the author goes back to the historical sources, and looks at the archaeological evidence as described by the archaeologists, to try and piece together a game that satisfies both the historian and the game player.

Board games have been played throughout the world for thousands of years. Many times, in many different cultures, people have amused themselves by devising mock races, battles and hunts, played in miniature on a small surface. The rules and the level of sophistication have changed through the ages, but the general idea has remained the same. Some of the oldest games, like backgammon, chess and draughts, are still popular today. This book looks at twelve different games taken from various periods of history. Most will not be recognised by the general public, but deserve to be better known. They are pachisi, halma, agon, tâb, fanorona, nine men's morris, wari, konane, xiang qi, tablut, asalto and renju. Each game has a whole chapter to itself, which includes a history, the rules, and a section on strategy and tactics. It is the author's intention that the reader will gain appreciation and enthusiasm for these wonderful old games, and be entertained by them for years to come.

Here are four board games -- the Royal Game of Ur; Mehen, the Game of the Snake; Hounds and Jackals; and the Egyptian Game of Senet -- which were popular in the days of the pharaohs in ancient Egypt and in nearby countries from about 5,000 years ago, chosen and recreated by Dr. Irving Finkel of the British Museum. Everything you need to play them is here: the playing boards recreated in sumptuous colors, playing pieces, and full instructions including variations and other possibilities you may like to try.

Everyone plays board games, and everyone will find something to fascinate them in this book about the games of the past, and their history and development. Based on the lectures given at a conference in the British Museum, this book tells the story in a properly academic way, but it is no less interesting for that ... and perhaps even more interesting! The book begins with three chapters on the games of the ancient Near East, most notably The Royal Game of Ur , then there are five chapters on the various games of ancient Egypt, senet, mehen , etc. Five more chapters are devoted to the games of the Greek and Roman world, then one on India, and three on Chinese games including Go. Then there are three on the beginnings of Chess and its introduction into western Europe, then four on backgammon from India to medieval England, three on mancala games, and one on the pursuit of hnefatafl , finally some brief notes on the games of the New World. The authors, thirty-one of them, range from archaeologists, historians and museum curators, not least Irving Finkel, the editor of the volume, to such well-known historians of games as R C Bell and the internationally famous grandmaster and journalist Raymond Keene. It is a large format book with hundreds of photos and drawings.