when is the right time for castling

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TunjiGold

I often get into great trouble after castling. Probably I made the castling too early or too late. Please when should I castle.

patzermike

Chess would be a dull game if it could be reduced to simple rules. I must offer the unhelpful answer that every position is unique and requires its own evaluation. A couple thoughts. I sometimes castle routinely out of laziness in a position where castling is an obvious improving move, but I should look around and see if a better move is available. We should try to avoid making obvious moves hastily. In some positions it is not clear if your king is better off on kingside or queenside or left in the center. In that case it is often better to keep your options open and not make a committal decision. On the other hand, if your opponent has good piece activity and possibilities to open up the position, you probably don't want your king in the center.

TunjiGold

Thank you patzermike, you have really addressed the issue. I often make such move out "it's obvious and common move" not really tactical.

Lagomorph

"Castle when you wish, or when you must, but never castle simply because you can."

Pulpofeira

Lago is right!

patzermike

Nice! Is that your proverb, or are you quoting someone.

Lagomorph wrote:

"Castle when you wish, or when you must, but never castle simply because you can."

TunjiGold

Lag, please explain your statement "castle when you wish, but never castle simply because you can.

TunjiGold

Lag just made the whole issue complicated with his statement

patzermike

I understand the proverb to mean what I was saying. We shouldn't castle just because we can and are too lazy to look for better moves.

TunjiGold wrote:

Lag, please explain your statement "castle when you wish, but never castle simply because you can.

Lagomorph

I was indeed putting into a proverb what patzermike had already explained.

It is not my quote however, I believe a famous GM first coined it many years ago.

RonaldJosephCote

     When its Raining!Yell

egoole

Anytime is a good time to castle except maybe at 'knight'..... :-)