Daldøs

Daldøs presents an interesting history that is among the most enigmatic of all board games. It bears a resemblance to the games Tâb of the Middle East and Tablan of India that is probably too strong to be regarded as coincidence. Daldøs is known to have been historically played in only about four different isolated locations in Scandinavia. These are Thy of Jutland, Denmark; Mors of northern Denmark; Fanø of southwestern Denmark; and Bornholm, a Swedish island in the Baltic Sea. The very similar game of Daldøsa is known from Jæren in Norway

Daldøs is rare even in the few locations it is known from in Scandinavia. Notably, all of these locations are coastal. Outside of these scant few locations and the related game of Sáhkku, played in the far north, there are virtually no running fight games in all of Europe, modern or historical. The only exception to this being a diagram from a medieval English manuscript c.1250-1300 CE that shows a rectangular game board of 2x11 squares.

Objective

The goal is to capture all of the opponent's counters. To make a quicker game, it may be agreed beforehand that the game is over when one player has been reduced to one counter (the other player then being the winner).

Play

To start the game, each player throws both dice, adds their totals, and the player that rolls highest goes first. Turns alternate and on their turn each player throws both dice once. A throw showing "A" is a special throw called a dal. When a player throws a dal, they may turn one counter parallel to its row (or in whatever method used to show rank) and move it forward one position. An undalled counter may not move and only a throw of dal allows a player to start moving any one of their counters. All other numbers shown on the dice only entitle the player to move a previously dalled counter forward the equivalent amount. The two dice totals may be added to move forward one counter or they may be used separately for two different counters. If a player has no dalled counters and does not throw any dals, the turn is forfeit. A throw of two dals allots the player who cast it an extra turn after their move. Any move that can be taken must be taken.

No two counters may ever occupy the same cell. When landing by exact throw at a cell occupied by an opposing counter that counter is captured by replacement and removed from the board and game. Friendly or opposing counters may be passed over without effect to either counter.

Movement of black counters from their original home row (bottom row here).

Each player's counters move first through the home row to the stern or rear of the ship/board, then through the middle row towards the prow (front), then into the opponent's home row back towards the stern. From here, it moves into the middle row again. Any counter never returns to its own home row.

Position after each player has had their first move. Black started and threw a dal and III (3). White followed, also throwing a dal and a II (2).