Answers.Body: <p>The answer is twofold - learn your opening theory, and learn how to defend.</p>
  
  <p>If you can defend yourself against the attack, then you're not "castling into the attack", you're simply castling.  Of course, you could be wrong, and castling could be a mistake, but that's chess - you have to make trade-offs, trust your instincts, and calculate the position.</p>
  
  <p>In most openings, opening theory tells us whether the risk/reward trade-off of castling on a given side of the board is worth it.  You never see white castling queenside in the Grunfeld, and that's because we know from opening theory that it's too risky.  An advanced study of the French and Sicilian defenses helps a player gain a better intuition for when it is and is not okay to castle kingside.</p>
  
  <p>Sometimes, of course, we don't even know, and castling is a gamble.  In the Sicilian and Caro-Kann defenses, black often castles kingside without being sure whether or not it's a suicide move, and hopes that his counterplay and defensive abilities are stronger than his opponent's attacking abilities.</p>
  
  <p>There really is no way to say "in positions with these features, you can castle, and in positions with these features, you can't" unless you're a computer playing computers.  Learn opening theory so you can get a good intuition for when it is and is not okay to castle (If you think it might be, it probably is) and then become a better defender so you can defend yourself against whatever attacks your opponents may choose to throw at you.  Unless you're playing Houdini or Kasparov, your opponent is unlikely to execute his or her attack perfectly, and it is a test of skill rather than a positional decision.</p>
  
  <p>Of course, sometimes it's really obvious that you shouldn't castle, like when you have a totally fractured kingside.  But categorizing such positions would be pointless because what matters is context.  Similarly, if all your opponent's pieces are on the kingside, that's also a sign that you shouldn't castle there.  You have to have faith in your defensive abilities, though, otherwise you'll find yourself being afraid to castle just because your opponent played <code>1. h4</code>.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-09-27T19:15:33.723Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-03-03T19:46:16.763Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-03-03T19:46:16.763Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Andrew Latham
Answers.Body: <p>The idea is not to castle early or late. The idea is to castle when it supports the <em>rest of your strategy</em>.</p>
  
  <p>In some games, you want to emphasize quick development, especially if your opponent has lost time. In that case, early castling is a feature of that development.</p>
  
  <p>On the other hand, if it's a game with emphasis on maneuvering, you may want to delay castling until your maneuvers are complete (or nearly so), in order to use castling to support your maneuvers.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-09-26T10:15:17.800Z
Answers.Text: I like this answer but it sounds too general. I want to add a simple rule I've discovered that makes it easier to decide if I should castle or not. I am always trying to correlate castling with position of both queens (and their presence or absence) on board. Exchanged queens usually make the king safer in the middle. If it is needed, a couple more pieces may be exchanged to achieve that. A standard position is middlegame with queens exchanged, king not castled and defending intrusion fields on an open line (against rooks).
Answers.UserDisplayName: AnonymousLurker
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-26T19:41:02.223Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-06-12T17:20:18.120Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-06-12T17:20:18.120Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Tom Au
Answers.Body: <p>Here I'll provide you a good example of castling too "early". In the Pirc Defense, Black will usually get roasted in the line</p>
  
  <pre><code>[fen ""]
  1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O?!
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>In this line White has not castled yet, and with the queen-bishop battery can just swap off bishops by playing <code>Bh6</code>, followed by <code>f3</code>, <code>g4</code>, <code>h4-h5</code> to ditch the h-pawn and then play <code>Qf6+</code>, etc. with a tremendous attack. </p>
  
  <p>But, the point to remember in general is not to castle into an attack for no good reason or compensation.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-23T00:34:33.710Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-12-14T12:49:58.890Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2012-12-14T12:49:58.890Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Quantum Elf
Answers.Body: <p>This is from the perspective of "concrete" chess:</p>
  
  <p>In modern chess, there is no hard or fast rule, it all boils down to calculation and prep. As world champion Anand has demonstrated in his match against Kramnik: <a href="http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1510272" rel="noreferrer">this</a> and <a href="http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1510508" rel="noreferrer">this</a> (just two games later, and again with Black!), <em>it is the results that matter</em>. So don't worry about castling early or late, but whether you are finding the strongest moves and are satisfied that you have worked out the tactics that are befitting your playing level.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-09-26T07:10:11.013Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-09-26T07:10:11.013Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: prusswan
Answers.Body: <p>If you are an inexperienced player (&lt;1900) you should castle quickly. Yes, you may get crushed occasionally by a stronger player but you probably will lose those games anyway. </p>
  
  <p>Players above 2000 can get away with leaving their kings in the center (usually)because they understand the types of positions they can get away with it in and can see the attacks coming several moves ahead. </p>
  
  <p>I have a very aggressive style and I can guarantee I'm far more likely to win against inexperienced players if they don't castle. In fact, a large part of my rep is devoted to preventing the opponent from castling. I will sac pawns in a heartbeat and often pieces to keep the king in the center. That should tell you something. </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-11-06T06:28:52.517Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-11-06T06:28:52.517Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Savage47
Answers.Body: <p>What dilemma?
  You castle because there are NO other moves that are pressing.</p>
  
  <p>You castle because you have a need to unite your rooks and/or put you king in a safer location.</p>
  
  <p>You castle because it is the best move in that position.</p>
  
  <p>You do not castle to put a check in some box on a list.</p>
  
  <p>Your opponent has been putting his pieces on the best squares, not moving them to one side expecting you to castle there.</p>
  
  <p>You know you can put your pieces in front of your king too, right?</p>
  
  <p>Most games are not won by an attack on the king.  They are won by the total position leading to material and a won endgame.  </p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2020-01-17T03:04:48.500Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2020-01-17T21:57:57.630Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2020-01-17T21:57:57.630Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: edwina oliver
Answers.Body: <p>I think you outline the balance well, that is what it is. You are talking about attempting to misdirect an opponent. In any game, misdirection is a dangerous tactic that takes skill to know when to make your move.</p>
  
  <p>If you can get to know your opponent you can try to judge how they will move on you. If you are dead set on castling to a particular side, and your opponent knows that, then delaying doesn't help you at all.</p>
  
  <p>The best solution is to remain flexible and let your opponents over or under steps dictate which tactic to use. This is as true for when to castle as anything other tactic.</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2012-05-22T17:41:25.503Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2012-05-22T17:41:25.503Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Justin C
Body: <p>OK, it has been said that one of the opening fundamentals is to castle early, but I have a dilemma with this and it may very well be a natural dilemma that has to be dealt with or there may be signs that one could look for. Here is the dilemma:</p>
  <p>If I castle early, I feel my opponent has a slight advantage especially because now they know where to direct their pieces, but if I delay castling and my opponent moves their pieces to the one side of the board and I castle on the opposite, I feel I have gained some time because they have to work their way back to my castled side, however, I do know that if I do not castle early, I risk leaving my king wide open.  Further light on this would be helpful.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2012-05-22T17:43:32.517Z
Comments.Text: Not all games will involve an assault on the side your king ends up on. Some players and openings tend towards attacks on the side you didn't castle to, hoping to claim enough pawns and positional advantage to move into an advantageous endgame.
Comments.UserDisplayName: DGH
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2012-05-23T00:51:12.550Z
Comments.Text: I think a person is more likely to be punished for castling too late rather than too early.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Tony Ennis
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2012-05-23T10:47:39.913Z
Comments.Text: Note that castling can be considered an attacking move in some situations (especially if you have ways to keep the opponent king in the center).
Comments.UserDisplayName: Landei
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 3.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2015-02-08T22:06:36.290Z
Comments.Text: Not to mention that castling early can break the momentum of your development.   I'm just starting out, but my rule of thumb is to leave the king alone until castling benefits you---the rook is ready.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Dmitri
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-11-07T20:08:41.793Z
Comments.Text: There is an old saying, "Castle when you want to or when you have to" that I find hard to improve on.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Philip Roe
Tags: <opening><theory><castling>
Title: What should I do about the dilemma of castling early?
ThreadText: # What should I do about the dilemma of castling early?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2012-05-22)
  
  OK, it has been said that one of the opening fundamentals is to castle early, but I have a dilemma with this and it may very well be a natural dilemma that has to be dealt with or there may be signs that one could look for. Here is the dilemma:
  
  If I castle early, I feel my opponent has a slight advantage especially because now they know where to direct their pieces, but if I delay castling and my opponent moves their pieces to the one side of the board and I castle on the opposite, I feel I have gained some time because they have to work their way back to my castled side, however, I do know that if I do not castle early, I risk leaving my king wide open. Further light on this would be helpful.
  
  **Tags:** opening, theory, castling
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_1**: Not all games will involve an assault on the side your king ends up on. Some players and openings tend towards attacks on the side you didn't castle to, hoping to claim enough pawns and positional advantage to move into an advantageous endgame.  
  > **username_2**: I think a person is more likely to be punished for castling too late rather than too early.  
  > **username_3**: Note that castling can be considered an attacking move in some situations (especially if you have ways to keep the opponent king in the center).  
  > **username_4**: Not to mention that castling early can break the momentum of your development.   I'm just starting out, but my rule of thumb is to leave the king alone until castling benefits you---the rook is ready.  
  > **username_5**: There is an old saying, "Castle when you want to or when you have to" that I find hard to improve on.  
  
  ---
  
  ## 7 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_13 on 2012-05-22. Score: 17 | Accepted answer
  
  I think you outline the balance well, that is what it is. You are talking about attempting to misdirect an opponent. In any game, misdirection is a dangerous tactic that takes skill to know when to make your move.
  
  If you can get to know your opponent you can try to judge how they will move on you. If you are dead set on castling to a particular side, and your opponent knows that, then delaying doesn't help you at all.
  
  The best solution is to remain flexible and let your opponents over or under steps dictate which tactic to use. This is as true for when to castle as anything other tactic.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_6 on 2012-09-27. Score: 19
  
  The answer is twofold - learn your opening theory, and learn how to defend.
  
  If you can defend yourself against the attack, then you're not "castling into the attack", you're simply castling. Of course, you could be wrong, and castling could be a mistake, but that's chess - you have to make trade-offs, trust your instincts, and calculate the position.
  
  In most openings, opening theory tells us whether the risk/reward trade-off of castling on a given side of the board is worth it. You never see white castling queenside in the Grunfeld, and that's because we know from opening theory that it's too risky. An advanced study of the French and Sicilian defenses helps a player gain a better intuition for when it is and is not okay to castle kingside.
  
  Sometimes, of course, we don't even know, and castling is a gamble. In the Sicilian and Caro-Kann defenses, black often castles kingside without being sure whether or not it's a suicide move, and hopes that his counterplay and defensive abilities are stronger than his opponent's attacking abilities.
  
  There really is no way to say "in positions with these features, you can castle, and in positions with these features, you can't" unless you're a computer playing computers. Learn opening theory so you can get a good intuition for when it is and is not okay to castle (If you think it might be, it probably is) and then become a better defender so you can defend yourself against whatever attacks your opponents may choose to throw at you. Unless you're playing Houdini or Kasparov, your opponent is unlikely to execute his or her attack perfectly, and it is a test of skill rather than a positional decision.
  
  Of course, sometimes it's really obvious that you shouldn't castle, like when you have a totally fractured kingside. But categorizing such positions would be pointless because what matters is context. Similarly, if all your opponent's pieces are on the kingside, that's also a sign that you shouldn't castle there. You have to have faith in your defensive abilities, though, otherwise you'll find yourself being afraid to castle just because your opponent played `1. h4`.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_7 on 2012-05-26. Score: 12
  
  The idea is not to castle early or late. The idea is to castle when it supports the *rest of your strategy*.
  
  In some games, you want to emphasize quick development, especially if your opponent has lost time. In that case, early castling is a feature of that development.
  
  On the other hand, if it's a game with emphasis on maneuvering, you may want to delay castling until your maneuvers are complete (or nearly so), in order to use castling to support your maneuvers.
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_8**: I like this answer but it sounds too general. I want to add a simple rule I've discovered that makes it easier to decide if I should castle or not. I am always trying to correlate castling with position of both queens (and their presence or absence) on board. Exchanged queens usually make the king safer in the middle. If it is needed, a couple more pieces may be exchanged to achieve that. A standard position is middlegame with queens exchanged, king not castled and defending intrusion fields on an open line (against rooks).  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_9 on 2012-05-23. Score: 8
  
  Here I'll provide you a good example of castling too "early". In the Pirc Defense, Black will usually get roasted in the line
  
  ```
  [fen ""]
  1. e4 d6 2. d4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. Be3 Nf6 5. Qd2 O-O?!
  
  ```
  
  In this line White has not castled yet, and with the queen-bishop battery can just swap off bishops by playing `Bh6`, followed by `f3`, `g4`, `h4-h5` to ditch the h-pawn and then play `Qf6+`, etc. with a tremendous attack.
  
  But, the point to remember in general is not to castle into an attack for no good reason or compensation.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_10 on 2012-09-26. Score: 6
  
  This is from the perspective of "concrete" chess:
  
  In modern chess, there is no hard or fast rule, it all boils down to calculation and prep. As world champion Anand has demonstrated in his match against Kramnik: [this](http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1510272) and [this](http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1510508) (just two games later, and again with Black!), *it is the results that matter*. So don't worry about castling early or late, but whether you are finding the strongest moves and are satisfied that you have worked out the tactics that are befitting your playing level.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_11 on 2019-11-06. Score: 3
  
  If you are an inexperienced player (<1900) you should castle quickly. Yes, you may get crushed occasionally by a stronger player but you probably will lose those games anyway.
  
  Players above 2000 can get away with leaving their kings in the center (usually)because they understand the types of positions they can get away with it in and can see the attacks coming several moves ahead.
  
  I have a very aggressive style and I can guarantee I'm far more likely to win against inexperienced players if they don't castle. In fact, a large part of my rep is devoted to preventing the opponent from castling. I will sac pawns in a heartbeat and often pieces to keep the king in the center. That should tell you something.
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_12 on 2020-01-17. Score: 0
  
  What dilemma?
  You castle because there are NO other moves that are pressing.
  
  You castle because you have a need to unite your rooks and/or put you king in a safer location.
  
  You castle because it is the best move in that position.
  
  You do not castle to put a check in some box on a list.
  
  Your opponent has been putting his pieces on the best squares, not moving them to one side expecting you to castle there.
  
  You know you can put your pieces in front of your king too, right?
  
  Most games are not won by an attack on the king. They are won by the total position leading to material and a won endgame.
  
  
  ---
  
  