Opposite-side castling games are usually very exciting. Because both
kings are on opposite wings, each player takes this opportunity to
create powerful pawn storms against the opposing king. The side with the
greater initiative and faster attack will most likely win.
You don’t always need to create a powerful pawn storm to win.
Sometimes, your pieces are more than enough to overwhelm your opponent
and give you victory. Let’s look at some ways in which Black and White
can create a powerful attack with their pieces.
Kingside
This is the dream position for a kingside attack. The knight on f6 (or f3 for White) is the best defender on the kingside. This is because it covers many squares there (h7, g4, h5) and blocks the f-file.
The pawn on e5 takes away the f6-square for the knight and leaves the
light-squared diagonal open for the bishop. This dream position is very
common in e4 openings, too.
What do you want to achieve?
- Light-squared bishop on the b1-h7 diagonal to create mating threats on h7.
- Pawn on e5 v a pawn on e6.
Even though I have just described this position as if White were the
aggressor, the same rules apply for Black. This means that for Black,
the dark-squared bishop (on the b8-h2 diagonal) along with a pawn on e4 v
a pawn on e3 are the most important factors.
Queenside
On the queenside, the position changes significantly if White/Black does not possess a c-pawn.
The most important things are:
1. Control over the d-file. This stops White’s king from escaping toward the centre/kingside.
2. Possession of bishops. Bishops are very important
for the aggressor to achieve victory. (Also, we can see in the example
that the light-squared bishop is extremely strong, since White’s king’s
activity is limited to the a1-square.)
Sample chess game
In the following game, both sides will attempt to reach their dream
positions. Because each is attacking, the most important thing is always to create a threat. The first opponent to stop attacking and start defending will lose.
Rabinovich – Romanovsky
1925
1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qb3 c5
This is a very old way of playing against the Nimzo-Indian Defence.
Looking at these initial moves, we can see that Black clearly wants to
castle on the kingside.
White is just one move from being able to castle on the queenside.
This opening is not played currently because White usually ends up
behind in development.
5.dxc5 Nc6 6.Bd2 Bxc5 7.e3 0–0 8.Nf3 d5 9.0–0–0
Black to play
Both players have castled on opposite sides. Knowing both players’ plans, what should Black play?
9…dxc4
Earlier, we discussed how Black wants to open the d-file. This move
allows that to happen and forces White to take on c4. The queen on c4
will be very vulnerable and Black will be able to gain tempo by placing rooks on the c-file.
10.Qxc4
If White captures with the bishop, 10…Na5 would win the light-squared
bishop, which is the most crucial piece in the game because whoever controls the b1-h7 diagonal controls the pace of the game.
10…Qe7 11.Bd3
Black to play
What should Black play?
11…Nb4
Black is trying to capture the bishop. White will not allow this.
12.Bb1
Black to play
White is slowly improving his position and starting an attack. White
will attempt to play e4-e5 at some stage and continue with Bg5 and Qh4.
Black must develop quickly and win time.
What should Black play?
12…b6
Black intends to play 13…Ba6 and gain time. The bishop will be aggressively placed and Black will be able to activate his rooks.
13.Qh4 Ba6 14.e4 Nd3+
Black now forces White to give up his powerful light-squared bishop.
15.Bxd3 Bxd3 16.Bg5
Black to play
White is threatening to play 17.e5 and is attacking the bishop on d3.
It seems like Black is in trouble, but what powerful idea did he find?
16…Rfd8!
Black now seizes control of the d-file, which stops White’s king from escaping to the centre/kingside.
17.e5 Ba3!
While this move does not possess an immediate threat, White can’t
capture the bishop and it pins the pawn on b2. Now the knight on c3 is
hanging. We can see that Black is completely ignoring White’s attack. In this game, material is not important but activity is crucial.
18.exf6 Qc5!
Black is bringing all his pieces into the attack and threatening Qxc3+.
19.Bd2
We can see that White is now forced to play defensively. Black must keep attacking. What is the winning plan?
Black to play
19…Bg6!
This game has been all about the b1-h7 diagonal. This move allows Black to play Qf5 and create powerful mating threats.
20.Qa4.
For a second, it seems like White is able to stabilize, but Black has calculated everything
20…b5!
The killing blow. 21.Qxb5 is met with …Rab8 and White can’t capture
the queen because Black can capture on b2 with the bishop and that would
be checkmate. This is why White decided to capture the bishop instead.
21.Qxa3 Qf5 0-1
Suggested: I’ve discussed about this topic (how to place pieces in my video lessons “Breaking stereotype” here.
White resigned because he can’t stop checkmate. After 22.Qb3, Black can play …Rac8 and White can’t stop Qb1#.
Conclusions:
- Whenever you reach opposite-side castling positions, make sure you prioritize activity.
It is extremely rare that opposite-side castling positions don’t
correlate with king assaults. Even in closed positions, both sides
attempt to open it up.
- Make a plan before you start attacking. It is important to have a general idea of where you want to locate your pieces and what you want to do. Recognize your opponent’s weaknesses and how you can use your pieces to attack. Make sure you also understand your opponent’s plan.
- Create threats. The best way to attack is by creating threats while you develop. This way, you force your opponent to defend/worsen his position while you improve yours.
P.S.
What do you think about the idea of opposite-side castling in chess? Do
you think that to “attack” is more powerful in such circumstances? 
Feel free to write in the comments below and discuss this.
Recommended
Planning is one of the MOST important skills in chess! Learn how to read the chessboard and plan like the pros. Get “Your Winning Plan” now – click HERE!
Suggestion: you might like to study how to make use of important chess squares – click here.
IM Boroljub Zlatanovic
