Chess rules · beginner
Castling
Castle kingside: tuck your king away and bring your rook into the game in one move.
touch_appLearn it by doing: read the short explanation, then play it on the board.
The rule
Castling is the only move where two pieces move at once: the king moves two squares towards a rook, and the rook jumps to the other side of the king. It makes your king safe and activates your rook.
You may castle only if: • neither the king nor that rook has moved, • no pieces are between them, • your king is not in check, and doesn't pass through or land on an attacked square. To castle here, move the king two squares to g1.
Practise it
- Castling: Castle kingside: tuck your king away and bring your rook into the game in one move.
- When can you castle?: Know the castling rules.
Check yourself
Your king moved earlier and came back to e1. Can you castle?add
No. Once the king has moved, castling is no longer allowed, even if it returns.
You're in check. Can you castle to escape?add
No. You can't castle out of check.
Which is 'queenside' castling (O-O-O) for White?add
King to c1, rook to d1. Queenside: the king goes to c1 and the a1 rook to d1.
Tips
- Move your king two squares towards the h1 rook.
- King and rook must be unmoved, no check, nothing in between.
Why it matters
O-O! The king goes to g1 and the rook to f1. Your king is safe and the rook is ready to join the game.