Castle on same side as opponent, opposite, or...
If you have a balanced position and want to keep it balanced, probably castle same side, but if you're looking for a more dynamic middlegame, castling on the opposite side could give either or both side(s) an attack, possibly with pawn breaks on either side.
Those are some interesting thoughts. I guess I do it depending on how the opening goes.
If you like sharper and more aggressive play, opposite-side castling gives both sides the opportunity to attack up the board with a pawn storm. If you prefer more positional, careful play, go for same-side castling.
Going opposite sides tend to lead to a knock down drag out type game where both sides pawn-storm the king's nest -- whoever finds a tactic or breaks through the pawns first usually wins.
If you are the one going queenside, though.. some generalizations...
- it costs 2 extra moves in general (develop queen first, and move king afterwards toward the edge of the board)
- the rook is usually much better placed after
- the outside pawn is vulnerable until king moves.
- it often derails the opponent's plans to attack the other side, esp if the opponent relies on a setup designed to quickly attack the kingside.
I have lost numerous outside pawns, out of the blue, due to queen side castling. And I feel I am not done yet.
Good advise Jonnin!
Pawns, pawns will tear us apart again.
Pawns, pawns will tear us apart again.
Joy Division I do believe.
Ian Curtis, 24 years old and soon to take his own life when he wrote this.
I went from playing defensively and castling to same side to playing aggressive and castling opposite side and just push the pawns and that caused me to drop from 1400 to 1200 so if you want to be aggressive castle same side and still feel safe try the King's Indian Defense. The King's Indian Defense is pretty safe for attacking because you get a knight and bishop for defense if you push your pawns.
