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Castling

How to castle kingside and queenside, when castling is not allowed and why you should tuck your king away at all. The only move in which two pieces take part

  • Beginner
  • Rules
  • 2 min read
Contents
  1. What castling is
  2. Kingside castling
  3. Queenside castling
  4. When you cannot castle
  5. How to castle correctly
  6. When to castle

What castling is

Castling is a special move in which the king and a rook move at the same time. The king moves two squares towards the rook, and the rook jumps over the king and lands next to it. It is the only move in which two pieces move at once.

Castling does two jobs: it hides the king in a safe corner and brings the rook closer to the centre.

Kingside castling

Short castling goes towards the kingside. The king moves from e1 to g1, the rook from h1 to f1 (for Black: e8–g8 and h8–f8). It is written O-O.

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

1. 2. 3. 4.

White has cleared the knight and bishop out of the way and castles kingside.

Queenside castling

Long castling goes towards the queenside. The king moves from e1 to c1, the rook from a1 to d1 (for Black: e8–c8 and a8–d8). It is written O-O-O. Three squares must be empty: b1, c1 and d1.

a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Both sides have castled queenside.

When you cannot castle

Castling is not allowed if:

  • the king has already moved, even once (even if it went back);
  • the rook you want to castle with has already moved;
  • there are pieces between the king and the rook;
  • the king is currently in check;
  • the king would have to pass through a square attacked by the opponent;
  • the king would end up in check.

Note: the rook may pass through an attacked square — the restriction applies only to the king.

How to castle correctly

First pick up the king and move it two squares, then the rook. If you pick up the rook first, under strict rules this may count as a rook move (“touch-move”).

When to castle

Players usually castle within the first 10 moves, as soon as the knight and bishop are developed. A king in the centre is an easy target, especially once lines open up. More in the article “Opening principles for beginners”.