King Safety -- is probably one the most important features of the position. In order to evaluate how safe the King is we need to compare the number of attacking pieces compounded with the existence of weak squares around the King to the number of defenders. This type of advantage can easily disappear once the defender brings in more defenders, exchanges attacking pieces or in rare cases runs his King to safer location. Weak position of the King can often balance the material advantage.

Let's look at the initial position. Specifically if we look at the pawns covering each King we note how f2 (white), f7(black) squares are the least protected squares. They are protected only once by King itself. Many games were decided in the opening (start of the chess game) with the attack on these squares. Review homework1 and homework2 games. Below you will find a link to a few more games that illustrate this idea. In all of these games compare the number of attackers and defenders 1 or 2 moves before the end of the game. Games.

As noted above a King in the center is susceptible to a quick attack through the f7,f2 squares. That is the reason why in many games players choose to castle early in the game. Castling protects the weak squares and moves the King away from the center. Link to the classroom material with castling rules.

Part2: Same-side castling attack.

Part3: Opposite-side castling attacks.