Piece Positioning: King

Move the King to a Safe Corner by Castling:

The King is especially vulnerable in the center of the board. Always try to get your King to safety by castling as soon as possible. This move will mobilize your rook and get your King to safety. In the diagram to the left, you’ll see that the King is surrounded by pieces, creating a strong defense.

Why does the king need to be active in the endgame?

The King is a powerful piece and should play an active role in an endgame. When most pieces have been traded, try to move your King into the center to make threats and protect pieces. In the image to the left, you will see that the white king has placed white into a winning position. If the King was not active and away from the white pawn, the black king could easily capture the passed pawn.