For Pete's Sake! CASTLE!

Here are a couple of games that showcase how vulnerable an uncastled king is.

The first is probably the most notable for how not castling and having an exposed flank can be lethal very fast. The second game was a little easier because the king was even more exposed earlier in the game. The third game was very hard fought where I fell behind but came back using my positional advantage.

Sorry if the comments don't come out right, I wasn't sure of the before move after move order.

When you have enough central space, castling isn't a necessity.

But if the center opens up (as in your games), not castling will make your king vulnerable and essentially put you a rook down.

So castle wisely.

yea castling into a wave of advancing pawns is pretty bad

who's pete? anyways, most of the time I do castle and try to do it to the same side as my opponents king to avoid a game of pawn pushing.

I was taught that castling loses much of its importance after the queens are off the board. I haven't read anything about the central space though. Can you point me to your source?