Hippopotamus defense: castling queenside or kingside?

Hi all!

I’m a beginner, and juggling between family (wife & 3 little kids) and work I’m left with little energy to concentrate and study long, complicated openings with many variations. I feel quite comfortable with the hippopotamus defense while playing black, but I have a question.

The theory behind this opening (if I got it correctly!) states that the most important thing about the center is to create a balance and then try to break the opponent’s pawn structure at the opposite side of his most advanced pawn. So, in a situation (quite ideal but not so uncommon) where white has his central pawns in e4 and d4, and I have mine in e6 and d6, if he pushes e5 I push d5 and then c5, trying to break through his queenside, if he pushes d5 I push e5 and then f5, trying to break through his kingside.

Given this situation, would it be wiser to castle at the opposite side of where I’m conduction my attack? Is it irrelevant or even worse?

Thanks, Davide.

I think I’m gonna print that out 😄

Your King might be safer on the K-side behind your own attacking forces than on the Q-side in front of your opponent's attacking forces.