Castling: Kingside or queenside?

Castle whichever way is available when the need arises. As a general rule seek to castle kingside because of its secure defensive position. However some openings will free up the queenside before the kingside.

Right now I'd say castling kingside is better :P... more because I'm mad at myself for 'castling into it' in a slightly advantageous position vs. one of the best on the site!

Well, it does of course all depend on the position. One of the ways I judge it is where my opponent has committed himself. I'm not great at juggling defence and attack, so if my opponent has castled Kingside, I'm likely to do the same, and so avoid complicated positions. (Thats the plan, anyway. Most positions look complicated to me.)

Is that kind of a "rule of thumb"?  Castle same side as opponent, if he castles first?

good info.  thx ezr.

It depends on what kind of game you like to play. As I say in my post above yours, I think that castling opposite sides leads to more complicated positions, where I'm more likely to make a mistake.

Another way of looking at it is that your OPPONENT is more likely to make a mistake- this would obviously suit a more precise player.

Its all a matter of opinion! 

I think that kingside castle is usually better for king safety, but queenside castle is better for rook development.

Oh, I have something to add- when playing for fun, and knocking my opponent around, I will often castle queenside just to give check to his ever-frustrated king.... O-O-O+. Other than that, Kingside all the way!

I used to castle as early as possible but lately I have been trying to incorporate a little bit of strategy... say my opponent has been developing his pieces towards a certain side of the board, I try to castle on the other side, assuming it will be much harder for him to get an effective attack.

Oh and I absoultely love the kings gambit followed by a kingside castle!! It just works out beatifully! Rook on a completely open file, often defending some nice knight forks on the f-file

If I'm playing black I like castling kingside.  If I'm playing White castling queenside is often a way to get the king out of the way and start an attack all at the same time.

Wait until your opponent sets up to attack one side then castle to the other.  Also sometimes castling to the opposite side as your opponent is good.  Sometimes castling late in the game works.  In all cases it depends on the specific game and your game plan.

I castle queenside a lot becuase I see that the attack tends to be on the kingside (and you can occasionally deliver a check), but I was just told by a chess player who is much better than me and wanted to help me that castling queenside is not a good strategy.