Exercise 11.1Find the move
White to move
Castle on the queenside.
11
Chess from Zero · Kapilash Chess Academy
Castling
A special move to keep the king safe
In this lesson you will learn
- How to castle on either side
- The rules: when castling is not allowed
- Why castling is important
Every board on this page is live. Move the pieces by tapping or dragging, click any move in the lines to see that position, and press ↺ to start again.
11.1 King and rook move together
Castling is the only move in which you move two pieces at once. The king moves two squares towards a rook, and the rook jumps over to the square on the king’s other side. It is the best way to bring the king to safety and the rook into play.
Diagram 11.1White to move
Diagram 11.1 · Kingside castling
Castling on the king’s side is written O-O.
The king goes from e1 to g1 and the rook from h1 to f1. The king hides behind the pawns.
Diagram 11.2White to move
Diagram 11.2 · Queenside castling
Castling on the queen’s side is written O-O-O.
The king goes from e1 to c1 and the rook from a1 to d1.
11.2 When you may not castle
- The king and that rook must not have moved before in the game.
- All squares between the king and the rook must be empty.
- The king may not be in check.
- The king may not pass over or land on a square attacked by an enemy piece. (The rook may be attacked; that is allowed.)
Diagram 11.3White to move
Diagram 11.3 · Castle!
The king and the rook have not moved and the way is clear.
Castle kingside: move the king two squares to the right.
O-O. The king is safe on g1 and the rook is ready on f1.
Remember
- Castling: the king moves two squares towards the rook, the rook jumps to the other side.
- Not allowed if the king or rook has moved, if a piece is in between, or if the king is in check.
- The king may not cross or land on an attacked square.
- Castle early to keep your king safe.
Exercises · Lesson 11
Castle when you can, and learn to spot when it is not allowed. To castle on this board, move the king two squares towards the rook.
Castle
Exercise 11.2Find the move
White to move
Castle.
Exercise 11.3Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Castle kingside.
Exercise 11.4Find the move
Black to move
Black to move. Castle queenside.
Can White castle?
Exercise 11.5Question
White to move
Can White castle kingside now?
Exercise 11.6Question
White to move
Can White castle kingside now?
Exercise 11.7Question
White to move
Can White castle kingside now?
Exercise 11.8Question
White to move
Can White castle queenside now? (The bishop on f5 attacks b1.)
Exercise 11.9Question
White to move
Can White castle kingside now?