Brandubh
The ancient 7×7 Irish tafl game. 4 defenders and their king try to reach a corner; 8 attackers try to capture the king.
Frequently Asked Questions
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How is Brandubh different from other tafl games?
Brandubh is the smallest standard tafl variant — only 7×7 with 4 defenders and 8 attackers. Games are short and sharp. Larger variants like Tablut (9×9) or Hnefatafl (13×13) use more pieces and play more strategically.
Why does the king escape to a corner in Brandubh?
In Brandubh, the four corner squares are the king's escape goals. Historically, corners represented fortresses on the board's edge. The corners are also hostile squares — they help capture pieces and cannot be occupied by ordinary soldiers.
Is Brandubh balanced between the two sides?
On the small 7×7 board, balance is delicate. With strong-king rules and corner escape, the sides are roughly even. The attacker's job is to plug all four corners; the defender's job is to find the one that's weak.
Can I play Brandubh against the AI on this site?
Yes. Choose 'vs AI' mode and select a difficulty. You play as the defenders (king side), and the AI controls the attackers. You can also play two-player on the same device.
Explore Game Details
About Brandubh
Brandubh is an early medieval 7×7 Irish tafl game, the smallest standard tafl variant. Mentioned in Celtic legends, it pits a king with just 4 defenders against 8 attackers in a fast, brutal duel where every move counts.
Benefits
Brandubh rewards sharp tactical vision and decisive play. With fewer pieces, every move carries weight — it trains calculation, pattern recognition, and the ability to spot narrow escape paths under pressure.
How to Play
- The board is 7×7. The king starts on the central throne with 4 defenders in a cross shape. 8 attackers sit on the four sides of the board.
- All pieces move like a rook in chess — any number of empty squares horizontally or vertically, without jumping over other pieces.
- Soldiers are captured by sandwiching: an enemy piece caught between two of your pieces in a straight line is removed. Moving into a sandwich yourself is safe.
- The king must be surrounded on all four sides to be captured. The throne and corner squares are hostile and can substitute for an attacker when surrounding the king. If the king stands on the board edge, the edge itself counts as one side, so three attackers suffice.
- Defenders win by moving the king to any of the four corner squares. Attackers win by capturing the king.
- Only the king may stop on the central throne and the corner squares; other pieces may pass through them once vacated. The throne and corners are hostile to both sides.
Strategy Tips
Defenders: pick a corner early and commit to it. With only 4 defenders, half-measures fail — focus your pieces toward one escape route.
Attackers: cover all four corners first, then squeeze. Don't overcommit to one side — the king can change direction fast on a small board.
Use the throne and corners as walls. An attacker adjacent to a hostile square needs fewer pieces to capture the king or a defender.
Calculate every move. On 7×7 with so few pieces, one blunder usually ends the game. Always check the king's possible rook-lines before moving.
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