Kingside

A file is a vertical line of eight squares, identified by a letter from a through h. The kingside contains the e-, f-, g-, and h-files. It is named for the kings, which begin on the e-file in the traditional starting position.

From White's viewpoint, the kingside is on the right; from Black's viewpoint, it is on the left. The term refers to the same squares for both players, so it does not simply mean “my right side.” The sector keeps its name even after the kings move elsewhere.

The Fixed Kingside Files

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

h8

g

f

e

d

c

b

a

This cross-section from e4 to h4 shows the fixed width of the kingside: files e, f, g, and h.

Files e Through h, Even After a King Moves Away

From Black's viewpoint, the e-, f-, g-, and h-files appear on the left. The White king on e1 marks the name's original anchor, the rook on h1 marks the outer boundary, and the Black king on a8 confirms that the region does not follow the king.

1. This cross-section from e4 to h4 shows the fixed width of the kingside: files e, f, g, and h.

Castling and play on this wing

Castling is a special move involving the king and a rook. In kingside castling, also called short castling, the king finishes on the g-file and the rook on the f-file in traditional chess.

A phrase such as “kingside attack” describes play concentrated on these four files. A “kingside pawn majority” means that one side has more pawns than the opponent in that sector.