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Castling and king safety

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the side to move where shown. Use a board if it helps, and explain your answer before checking the solutions.

White to move. The bishop on a6 attacks f1; castling through that attacked square is forbidden. White to move.
White to move. The bishop on a6 attacks f1; castling through that attacked square is forbidden. White to move.

  1. Where do White’s king and rook finish after O-O?

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  2. Where do they finish after O-O-O?

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  3. Can White castle after the king moved away and returned to e1?

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  4. White Ke1, Rh1; Black Ke8, Ba6. Otherwise empty. Can White castle kingside?

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Final check

Ask whether returning a previously moved king to e1 restores castling rights.

Answers: Castling and king safety

  1. Where do White’s king and rook finish after O-O?

    King g1, rook f1.

  2. Where do they finish after O-O-O?

    King c1, rook d1.

  3. Can White castle after the king moved away and returned to e1?

    No. Moving the king permanently loses castling rights.

  4. White Ke1, Rh1; Black Ke8, Ba6. Otherwise empty. Can White castle kingside?

    No. The bishop on a6 attacks f1, which the king would pass through.

Teaching note

Check that pupils move the king two squares, not to the rook’s starting square. The rook may be attacked; the king may not start in, pass through or finish in check.