Positions with Opposite Side Castling | Chess Middlegames

Castling on opposite sides leads to very exciting attacking games. I tried to break down the common principles of playing those positions using seven game examples.

Opposite sides castling is quite different to games in which players both castle kingside. The main difference is that you don’t have to preserve your pawn structure on one side of the board. IN normal games, pushing your pawns on one side of the board would just be met by your opponent blocking you with his own pawns, which is why attempts like that are seldom made. In opposite side castling games, though, your opponent can’t do that, and your advancing pawns are going to play a role of extra attacking pieces.

That is why pawns on the side where your opponent’s king has castled are often used as battering rams, as cannon meat to open up the lines towards the king and free up space for your pieces to attack.

The second major aspect of these positions is time. Most often the games are going to be sharp, and every single tempo will count. This means that you can’t afford to waste time. Each move will have to serve a specific attacking or defensive purpose, and the side that plays slow moves without a clear goal in mind can find themselves in trouble fast. Unlike closed positions, opposite side castling positions tend to be ruthless and will seldom give you a break.

The main goal is to create an attack faster than your opponent manages to do the same to you. This will often involve removing your opponent’s defenders and getting rid of the pawns and pieces around his king, while at the same time closing the road to your own king and preventing your opponent to remove your own defenders.

I would recommend that you choose positions like these on purpose because playing them will sharpen your senses and you will be able to develop a feel for attacking play.

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