LaviChess

Lesson 9: Castling

Castling is the only move where you move two of your own pieces at once. The king goes to safety and the rook comes into play, but only if every condition is met.

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Castling is a special move: the king and a rook move at the same time. The king moves two squares toward the rook, and the rook jumps over to the square next to the king.

Castle kingside, O-O. Move the king two squares to the right.

What you'll learn

  • Castling kingside (O-O) and queenside (O-O-O)
  • The king and the rook must not have moved before
  • No pieces may stand in between
  • The king may not be in check, pass through an attacked square or end up in check
  • The rook, on the other hand, may be attacked

Lesson 9 of 12 · about 7 minutes · 6 steps. Your progress is kept in this browser, and with your profile if you have one.

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Updated November 6, 2026