Lesson 10 - Castling

Objective:

1) The student will learn the rules and method of castling.

2) The student will understand the strategy used when castling in a game situation.

Method:

1) Step one: move the king first (to either side towards the rook) two squares.

2) Step two: jump the rook over the king, onto to the square directly beside the king.

Content:

The teacher demonstrates castling involving both the king and either kingside or queenside rook.

Students, in turn, practise this move following the castling procedure.

Note the following requirements must be met in order to castle:

Castling can be done only if neither rook, nor king has been moved.

Also, one cannot castle to move out of "check", or through "check" (where an opponent's piece is attacking the king on the first rank), or if another piece is blocking the direct movement of the king and/or rook.

Castling may be performed on both "kingside and queenside" of the chessboard at any time during the game, provided the above conditions are met.

Follow-up:

Students practise the castling procedure. The teacher observes each student demonstrate in turn.

The teacher may explain the strategy behind castling and when it is most pragmatic to do so (ie. in order to build a wall of pawns in front of the king as a means of protection, or perhaps to bring a rook into play on an open file.)

By moving the king to the side, it effectively removes it from the middle of the board out of danger. Also, castling allows the rooks to move into a central position which greater utilizes their potential for attack.