Theory says to castle early; however, theory is just a general guide and the position of the game should be the main consideration. (Also, consider the level of those in the matches vs the level of your opponents.)
Check out the 11:33 point of this video where GM Yasser Seirawan uses a position in the Pirc defence to delay castling.
Theory says to castle early; however, theory is just a general guide and the position of the game should be the main consideration. (Also, consider the level of those in the matches vs the level of your opponents.)
Check out the 11:33 point of this video where GM Yasser Seirawan uses a position in the Pirc defence to delay castling.
I think you make an important point. When someone castles may have a lot to do with their skill level. I've been away from chess for about six years. I was above 1300, right now I am hovering around 1000-1100. The strategies and tactics I see and use will be much different than an IM or GM.
There is no hard and fast rule about castling.
Some openings involve casting immediately and almost always to the same side, such as the Kings Indian Defense, Grunfeld, and Benoni.
Some Openings, like the French, Black side of KIA vs Sicilian, etc, Black often delays casting because casting quickly is too committal (Kia vs Sicilian) or lethal (French Classical due to the Greek Gift Sacrifice).
Some Openings often see you not casting at all. These include certain lines in the Berlin (the Q exchange), French McCutchen, and Najdorf Sicilian, just to name a few.
So trying to generalize it is useless. You need to look at it based on the position that results from the opening played.
Indeed. Experience, as they say, is the thing. In the meantime, as White, generally castling Kside early is the norm in DKP openings, most Semi-open KP defenses ie Caro Kann, Sicilians, French, Modern etc by rote. Of course, there are exceptions; slight delay in castling Qside in certain variations (like in the Yugo-Slav Dragon lines as an obvious example) but as mentioned earlier, it is always considered safer in Open & Semi-open KP games to castle early as possible as so to connect the Rooks, complete development and go hunting. You're White after all, you have the intiative. Same thing with QP openings, early Kside castling is always preferred. Although, because of the often blocked or closed nature you can often hangout in the Center and castle late (more often to the Qside in my experience) just remember it's always cool to be safe than sorry. Lastly on Defense: again, castling early Kside in Open (and Semi-Open) KP games is always sound and done by rote. Delayed castling and/or Qside castling are again the exceptions. As far as QP games, castling early Kside is the safest; again the closed nature and having time to maneuver behind your pawns without worrying about King safety is paramount. Advantages and Disadvantages in castling early, late, or not at all? Overall, only Time will tell for you as you gain experience, skill, knowledge, respect for your opponents (sportsmanship I should say too) and love for the game. Best wishes 😉
(ps try not to overthink things when looking at other player's games, think about your games and strive to play the established "right"way for the time being; again, as you progress, you'll know. Because playin's ALWYS the thing, man!✌🏽)
Generally speaking, castle early to get your king out of the center and to quickly bring your rooks into play. Delay castling when you have other positional goals that you want to achieve, the center is closed, your opponent doesn't have a potential attack in the center, or your opponent has great attacking potential on the side you want to castle on.
When I watch chess matches, it seems to me that castling is done very early. Often within the first ten moves or so. However, I see those, more in my opponents, who will wait to castle, ostensibly waiting to gauge their opponent's offense. Sometimes they will wait well into the game. What do you see as the advantage/disadvantage of castling early or later?