Editing Tafl games (section)

===Brandubh===
[[File:283px-Brandub board.png|thumb|140x140px|Brandub board]]
Brandubh (or brandub) ({{langx|ga|bran dubh}}) was the Irish form of tafl. From two poems<ref>[[#Reference-idHelmfrid2025|Helmfrid 2025]], pp.&nbsp;7–8. In [[#Reference-idBayless2005|Bayless 2005]], p.&nbsp;17, these passages are reproduced and well referenced.</ref> it is known that it was played with five men against eight, and that one of the five was a "Branán", or chief. A number of 7×7 boards have been found, the most famous being the elaborate wooden board found at [[Ballinderry, Mid Ulster|Ballinderry]] in 1932, featuring holes for pegged pieces, possibly to allow for portability of the game.<ref>[[#Reference-idMurray1951|Murray 1951]], p.&nbsp;59, discusses the Ballinderry board with an accompanying sketch of the board. This board is also discussed by [[#Reference-idHelmfrid2025|Helmfrid 2025]], p.&nbsp;12, and [[#Reference-idBayless2005|Bayless 2005]], p.&nbsp;14, calls it "the most celebrated find" in Ireland.</ref> The name ''brandubh'' means "black raven".<ref>[[#Reference-idBayless2005|Bayless 2005]], p.&nbsp;17, [[#Reference-idHelmfrid2025|Helmfrid 2025]], p.&nbsp;7</ref>

Original rules were not found, but using these 7×7 boards, the text of the two poems and the tablut rules as a basis, the World Tafl Federation was able to reconstruct balanced rules validated by several tests.<ref>{{cite web|title=Irish Brandubh tournament 2015 |url=http://aagenielsen.dk/turnering2015_brandubh.php |website=aagenielsen.dk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Irish Brandubh 7x7 |url=http://aagenielsen.dk/hnefataflforum/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=37&start=30#p1376}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Measured tafl game balances |url=http://aagenielsen.dk/tafl_balances.php}}</ref>

Despite its small size board and the speed of the games, Brandubh offers an undeniable tactical and strategic exercise in which the first mistake very often leads to defeat. The small number of pieces means that each of them must often simultaneously defend and attack: it is therefore easy to forget one of these tasks if one focuses too much on the other. As in the great games of Tafl, sacrifices are useful, especially for the defenders, but with only four pieces, it is important not to weaken the king too early in the game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Brandubh |url=http://tafl.cyningstan.com/page/171/brandub |website=cyningstan.com}}</ref>