St. Brendan Chess Team
Lesson 5a
Page 1
CASTLING
CASTLING
Now that we know that King is the most important piece in the game, here is a move to
help protect him.
Castling is the only time you can move 2 pieces in one move and the only time the King
can move 2 squares. Castling not only protects the King behind the pawns, but also puts
the Rook in a more powerful spot in the center of the board.
Castling involves the King and a Rook. Castling can be accomplished on either the Kingside or the Queen-side, but can only be done IF this is the first move for both the King
and the Rook. Castling is possible only IF all these are true:
1.
It is the first move for both the King and the Rook.
2.
The space between the King and the Rook is clear.
3.
The King is NOT in check.
4.
The King is NOT moving to square which would put him in check.
5.
The King would NOT have to move over a square where he would be in
check.
To Castle the King moves 2 squares towards the Rook and the Rook jumps the King to
stand next to him. On the King-side Castle the Rook moves 2 squares, on the Queen-side
Castle the Rook moves 3 squares. Always, move the King first and then the Rook. This
shows your intended move of castling.
Experience has shown that the best rule for the majority of cases is to castle early and
castle King-side.
St Brendan Chess Team
Lesson 5
Page 2
St Brendan Chess Team
Lesson 5
Page 3
For these 2 puzzles, can White castle on either side? Can Black?