Is castling over rated?
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I am almost of the mindset that castling is overrated. Especially king side if your opponent has already done the same. I am new to this game, and have been learning as I go. My most recent game seems to back up my thought. Lately I have been castling opposite side of opponent (or not at all) so I can mount a direct attack on his trapped king. Of course I am only rated 1000+ so my competition level may be some of the reason this strategy is working for me. Anyone else like to delay castling until opponent has committed?
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#2
There are lots of cases where one or both sides don't castle as a sound course of the game, but at higher levels of play from most types of openings it usually would be a blunder especially by Black not to castle relatively early. Against novice opposition, they are less likely to adequately punish you for not castling when you should or ought to, or are less adept at countering your guns-ablazin' initiative on their King that your opting not to short- or long- castle is not an error (although likely weak choice).
It should be used as a purposeful developmental move rather than purely defensive, as should every strong move serve more than one purpose. The doubled rooks could maybe assist on your Kingside attack, Or add pressure to the centre. The more pieces working harmoniously the better.
Kasparov made a good advice for beginners. He told that beginners should always castle.
Thanks for the advice, do you feel there is an advantage to deliberately castling opposite side of opponent, if all else is equal?
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#5
If the center pawns are eliminated and the middle of the board is open it is usually necessary to castle or move the king out of the center of the board (provided enough pieces are still on the board to generate threats against the king). Castling opposite sides is fine as long as your king isn't exposed before your opponent's. If your opponent's piece concentration is high near your king or if your pawn cover is removed first then opposite side castling can backfire.
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