Objective

The king (in the centre) must reach a corner of the board to win. The attackers win by capturing the king.

Movement

Each piece moves like a rook in chess: in a straight line, horizontally or vertically, across as many free squares as it likes — never diagonally, never over another piece.

The throne and the corners

Only the king may stop on the central throne or on the corners.

Capture

• A piece (other than the king) is captured when it ends up flanked on two opposite sides by enemy pieces, or by an enemy piece and the throne / a corner.
• Capture only happens when the opponent closes the trap — moving yourself between two enemies is safe.
• The king must be surrounded on all 4 sides (by attackers or the throne) to be captured — unless he is on the edge of the board, where he is untouchable.

Simplified rules, inspired by Copenhagen Hnefatafl.