Castling
In short
Castling is the only move where two pieces move together: the king moves two squares towards a rook, and that rook jumps over to the square next to the king. Castling short (O-O) uses the h-rook; castling long (O-O-O) uses the a-rook.
By the end you can
- Castle on both sides correctly
- Know when castling is not allowed
The lesson
Castling is the only move where two pieces move together: the king moves two squares towards a rook, and that rook jumps over to the square next to the king. Castling short (O-O) uses the h-rook; castling long (O-O-O) uses the a-rook.
You may not castle if the king or that rook has already moved, if there are pieces between them, if the king is in check, or if the king would pass through or land on an attacked square.
Castling does two jobs at once: it tucks the king away from the centre and brings a rook towards the middle where it can join the game. In most games it is wise to castle within the first ten moves.
Key points to remember
- King two squares, rook jumps next to it
- Not out of, through or into check
- King and rook must not have moved
- Castle early in most games
Examples
Show the moves
1. O-O O-O-O
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: opening tactic puzzles.
Homework
In each practice game, castle before move 10 and write down on which move you did.
More rules & board lessons
- The chessboard and its coordinates (Foundation)
- Long-range pieces: rook, bishop and queen (Foundation)
- Knight, king and pawn (Foundation)
- Check and the three ways out (Foundation)
- Promotion and en passant (Foundation)
- What the pieces are worth (Foundation)