Kingside Castling Puzzle

Castling is one of the most important moves in the opening. It tucks your king behind a wall of pawns and brings your rook into the game in a single move. In this position, both sides have developed their minor pieces, and White is ready to castle kingside.

The Position

White to move. White to play. Find the best developing move.

FEN: r1b1k2r/ppppqppp/2n2n2/1Bb1p3/4P3/2N2N2/PPPP1PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 4 5

Tags: Opening, Castling

How to Solve It

  1. Confirm that all castling conditions are met: the king and h-rook have not moved, no pieces sit between them, and the king is not in check.
  2. Notice that all of the squares the king passes through (f1, g1) are not attacked by Black.
  3. Castle kingside. The king goes from e1 to g1 and the rook from h1 to f1, all in one move.
  4. The answer is O-O.

Solution

The winning move is O-O.

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