Kingside vs Queenside

Kingside vs Queenside

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T
tk-809

Joined
26 Jan 11
Moves
12778
08 Jun 11

What side do you prefer to castle to and why?

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
42492
08 Jun 11

I like to conserve all my energy and dedicate it soley to the game.
I refuse to let even slightest trifle disturb me.

So from the outset, White or Black, I always plan to castle Kingside,
my openings are geared for Kingside castling only.

Then all I need do to write down on my score sheet is 0-0 as oppossed
to the time consuming, energy wasting 0-0-0 should I castle Queenside.

Writing down the extra '0' would distract me.

I have castled Kingside approx 500 times OTB
If I had castled Queenside in those games I would written down 500 extra '0'

and that looks like this:

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Of course I did trifle with the idea of not castling at all thus
saving myself future toil by eliminating the need to write an 0.

This worked in the fact that I did not have to record many moves
at all as I often found myself being mated before move 20.
But after discussing the matter with my doctors I started castling again.
But only on the Kingside.

Hope this helps.

m

In attack

Joined
02 Mar 06
Moves
30142
08 Jun 11

For me, it depends how good I think my opponent is. If they're good, I won't mess around and castle king-side. If I think they might be thrown by an unusual strategy, I'll try the queen-side

h

Joined
23 Sep 08
Moves
25967
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by TK80
What side do you prefer to castle to and why?
Lol, this has to be one of the funniest questions I have come across, no offence opening poster, but it solely depends on the the game and position. Nobody can actually have a favourite position ( side ) to castle in reality.

Isolated Pawn

Wisconsin USA

Joined
09 Dec 01
Moves
71302
08 Jun 11

Castle early and often.

rc

Joined
26 Aug 07
Moves
38239
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by greenpawn34
I like to conserve all my energy and dedicate it soley to the game.
I refuse to let even slightest trifle disturb me.

So from the outset, White or Black, I always plan to castle Kingside,
my openings are geared for Kingside castling only.

Then all I need do to write down on my score sheet is 0-0 as oppossed
to the time consuming, energy wastin ...[text shortened]... ter with my doctors I started castling again.
But only on the Kingside.

Hope this helps.
Morphy castled queenside 😛

t

Joined
04 Sep 10
Moves
5716
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by ketchuplover
Castle early and often.
try twice a game at least

MR

Joined
19 Jun 06
Moves
847
08 Jun 11
2 edits

Sometimes the position dictates which direction you should castle to. But if the position isn't important, then castle kingside, as queenside castling has some structural weaknesses not present in kingside castling. (Possibly an unprotected a-pawn, and possibly a weak c-pawn only protected by the king.)

(Not a funny question at all.)

rc

Joined
26 Aug 07
Moves
38239
08 Jun 11
2 edits

Originally posted by Mad Rook
Sometimes the position dictates which direction you should castle to. But if the position isn't important, then castle kingside, as queenside castling has some structural weaknesses not present in kingside castling. (Possibly an unprotected a-pawn, and possibly a weak c-pawn only protected by the king.)
yes indeed, also sometimes the position should dictate whether one should castle or
not. Here is a rather excellent Steinitz game where his opponent castled early and
Steintiz used this to launch an attack, Steintz himself does not castle until it is
necessary to do so. I think a good rule of thumb is, if the centre is likely to open or
you need rooks for semi/open files then castle otherwise there might be something
better.

T
tk-809

Joined
26 Jan 11
Moves
12778
08 Jun 11
1 edit

Originally posted by hintjul
Lol, this has to be one of the funniest questions I have come across, no offence opening poster, but it solely depends on the the game and position. Nobody can actually have a favourite position ( side ) to castle in reality.
None taken. Reason I asked is because I see everyone castle king side and I prefer to go Queen side to stop back rank later (I still miss things often) and to get the rook out in the open sooner.

Thanks for the input from everyone.

e4

Joined
06 May 08
Moves
42492
08 Jun 11

"Morphy castled queenside."

Morphy never wrote down his moves during a game.
No need to, he remembered all his games. So writing the extra 0,
(in them days it was done with a feather quill) did not bother him.
Back then it was not required (no clocks).

h

Joined
23 Sep 08
Moves
25967
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by Mad Rook
Sometimes the position dictates which direction you should castle to. But if the position isn't important, then castle kingside, as queenside castling has some structural weaknesses not present in kingside castling. (Possibly an unprotected a-pawn, and possibly a weak c-pawn only protected by the king.)

(Not a funny question at all.)
I think it is,its about opinions, personal opinions MR.Rook.

h

Joined
23 Sep 08
Moves
25967
08 Jun 11

I have seen plenty of engine vs engine games where they have not bothered to castle, completely shatters the theory you should always castle, after all, computers rule the modern game.

MR

Joined
19 Jun 06
Moves
847
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by hintjul
I think it is,its about opinions, personal opinions MR.Rook.
My opinion is that you're a funny guy.

h

Joined
23 Sep 08
Moves
25967
08 Jun 11

Originally posted by Mad Rook
My opinion is that you're a funny guy.
Thanks, I appreciate your great judgement, Im a very funny guy.