skák
nafnorðkvenkyn
f. [of Persian origin], chess, Vm. 177; tefla skák, Gsp.
2. [O. H. G. scâb-man; Germ. schächer], a robber, highwayman, Þiðr. 100 (v. l.), 125 (v. l. 14), 353. skák-tafl, n. a game of chess, Ó. H. 167, Fas. i. 523, Fms. xi. 366 (year 1155), Bs. i. 635 (year 1238), ii. 186, D. N. (in deeds of the 14th century). There is no authentic record of chess in Scandin. before the 12th century, for Fas. l. c. is mythical, and as to Ó. H. 167 see remarks s. v. hnefi2. In Icel. there is still played a peculiar kind of chess, called vald-skák, where no piece, if guarded, can be taken or exchanged.
II. metaph. a seat, bench; in the popular phrase, tyltu þér á skákina, take a seat!