Towd:
Gotta misuse more of my limited memory as my books are not at hand.
700-1000 ac in scandinavia is best known for the videspread naval activity witch took place.There were several main routes by witch these people (Vikings ;=) traveled:
1) North England/Fæøerne/Island/Greenland.It was by this route that North America was found as well.
2)Midt- and South England, Normandie, to some extend via this route also Spain, Southern France, Sicily.This route may have brought direct contact with the Osmanian Empire in Spain or deeper in North African area.
3)Route going via big rivers through Russia, via Novgorod (?) south directly to Konstantinople.For a long period the emperor of Konstantinople had a personal guard only consisting of scandinavians.It was via this route that the main contact with the Osmanians took place.
Scandinavia was at that time split in several (many) small kingdoms, but there are some general agreement that what we today know as Norway was dominating on route 1, Denmark on route 2, and Sweden on route 3.
Plz also remember that these people were selling\buying as well as robbing\murdering - and so some extent also settlers.Was a cas of opertunity ,=)
There has been found chess pieces (and boards ?) several places in scandinavia, and (but now my memery gets close to melt down..) also Greenland.
Little is known as to the actual rules of the game from that time.I beleve the modern chess rules were founded in 17.th centery Europa, with Spain and France as the dominant nations.Around 1840 the pieces and rules were as we know them today - execpt for some minor adjustments.
danish