{"id":1437,"date":"2021-05-28T21:13:23","date_gmt":"1999-01-01T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/?p=1437"},"modified":"2022-07-03T10:39:55","modified_gmt":"2022-07-03T10:39:55","slug":"castling-in-chess","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chessquestions.com\/castling-in-chess\/","title":{"rendered":"Castling in Chess (How – Conditions – Rules & When)"},"content":{"rendered":"

⭐⭐⭐ Take 8 minutes to read and improve your chess game ➡️ : This article was first published on, and is Copyright of Chessquestions.com<\/p>\n

Have you heard of castling? It’s unique in a way that it allows you to play three moves at once. Here, you can shuffle 2 different pieces, in one move. These two pieces<\/a> are your king and the rook. Also, it’s the only move where your king can jump 2 squares!

Sounds interesting right?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have never heard of this rule, it might look illegal when your opponent plays one. But it’s a normal legal move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might wonder what castling looks like on the chess board and how to execute it? Are there any conditions to fulfil under which you can castle?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, what is its importance? Do the best players in the world<\/a> use this special move frequently in their games? Or do they avoid it?

Here you will find answers to all such questions regarding castling. By the end of the article, you’ll have a complete understanding of this unique move and how to use it in your game.

Let’s begin with the basics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Castling in Chess?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


It’s a special rule where you can move your king 2 steps(or squares) to either its right or left side on the back rank<\/a>, and the rook comes towards the center, one square next to the king.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now this might sound like some chess jargon, but here’s how it looks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chessboard Position before Castle Move<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
The position before castling<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Note how the King and Rook are in their original positions on the chess board before the castle move<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chessboard Position After Castle Move (Short castling)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
This is how it looks on the chess board.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

And now, after castling, the King and Rook have switched sides and occupy adjacent squares.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to castle?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n


Move the king first, two squares to the side you want to castle and then bring the rook towards the centre in such a way that it stands next to the king.

Below you’ll see how to castle kingside and queenside, with both the colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Short Castle (Kingside Castling)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Here, you will transfer the king to the kingside and bring the kingside rook towards the centre, just next to the king. It is also known as short castling<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steps for castling kingside for White –<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

In the position below, White can castle on either side they want.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Before Castling Kingside (White)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

To castle on the kingside, here’s what to do –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Move the king on e1-square, two steps to g1-squares, towards the corner.<\/li>
  2. Move the rook on h1-square to f1-square, towards the centre.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    And yes all of this in one move!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"
    The final position after castling kingside for white looks like this<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Steps for castling kingside for Black<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    Now let’s see how Black can castle in the same position, after we flip the board around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Once again, we follow the similar steps –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    1. Move the Black king on e8-square to g8-square, towards the corner.<\/li>
    2. Move the rook on h8-square to f8-square, towards the centre.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      All of this in one move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"
      After castling kingside with black pieces<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      The Long Castle<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

      Also known as ‘Long castling’ is when the castle move is undertaken on the queenside of the board. Here, you will transfer the king to the queenside and bring the rook towards the centre, just next to the king. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The Long castle, or Queenside castle has the ‘long’ name because in this case the rook moves three squares rather than just two on the kingside [or short castle]. So the difference between the long and short castle moves, are the number of squares moved Kingside (2) or Queenside (3)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Steps for castling queenside for White<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      We’ll take the same position once more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

      To castle on the kingside, here’s what to do –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      1. Move the king on e1-square, three steps left to c1-square, towards the corner.<\/li>
      2. Move the rook on a1-square to d1-square, towards the centre.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

        Once again, execute the two steps in one move. It’s totally legal!

        The final position would look like this –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"
        After Castling Queenside for White<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        Steps for castling queenside for Black<\/h4>\n\n\n\n


        <\/strong>Now let’s flip the board and give Black the move. I’m sure, you’ll now guess how to castle queenside with the Black pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        \"\"
        Before castling queenside for Black<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

        We follow the same steps –<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        1. Move the king on e8-square, two steps to c8-squares, towards the corner.<\/li>
        2. Move the rook on a8-square to d8-square, towards the centre.<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
          \"\"
          After Castling Queenside for Black<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

          I hope it’s clear to you what castling looks like for both sides. Below, we will discuss the conditions and rules for this unique move. But let me quickly explain the difference between short and long castling first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Difference between Short and Long Castling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

          In short castling, you move your king towards the kingside<\/strong>. Also, your rook travels 2 squares<\/strong> in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          In long castling, you move your king towards the queenside<\/strong>. Also, your rook travels 3 squares <\/strong>in this case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          This is the difference between the two different types of castling. Now let’s understand the conditions when you can and cannot castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

          Conditions for Castling? What stops me from being able to castle?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

          You’re allowed to castle under the following conditions only –<\/p>\n\n\n\n