Tawlbwrdd 11x11

[Dimetr]

https://viewer.library.wales/6145926#?x ... 8305&cv=14

[Dimetr]

Hi all!
By the link you can open and look (with your own eyes!) at the Robert ap Ifan’s manuscript, about Tawlbwrdd 11*11 (Peniarth Manuscript 158)
The Library of Wales has posted a scan. Great!

https://viewer.library.wales/6145926#?x ... 8305&cv=14

[Ailill]

Very cool. Is there any translation (or even transcription) of the text, do you know?

[Hagbard]

Alex Hnefatafl has found this board position in Historical Hnefatafl and writes:

“I have discovered a new position in Historical Hnefatafl 11. In this position, the black side has permanently blocked the white side’s main piece. At the same time, the white side will never be able to free its main piece.

I understand that you will probably want to declare a draw in such positions in order not to complicate matters too much. But that is wrong. I believe that in such a position, the black side should be given a limited number of moves to complete the capture; otherwise, they lose.”

[Corinthian]

This is a very interesting position! However, I would argue that in this situation White should be given a limited number of moves before they lose. I think positions where White has no hope of winning should be given to Black.