"Castling to Win" by Robert Timmer, 1997 ICE, Softcover,
Figurine Algebraic Notation, 240pp., $23.95

About three years ago, FIDE Master Robert Timmer wrote a very
interesting book in his native Dutch, "De Rochade, een veelzijdige
schaakzet." It was a look at the unique peculiarities and qualities of
castling. An expanded, improved edition has now appeared in
English as "Castling to Win." (Readers may find the edition
released in Great Britain titled "Startling Castling" - we have no
idea why the American version has a different title.)

Actually, it is not that easy to give this book a title that fully
describes the subject matter. The reason is that the author has
produced a book that combines a discussion of tactical themes and
strategical concepts under the unifying theme of castling. A few of
the chapter headings will give you some sense of what this means.
E.g., there are chapters entitled "Queenside castling with the
sacrifice of pawn a2 or a7", "Castling with the rook being attacked"
and "Castling to the wrong side."

Both full game scores and illustrative positions are presented.
Now, regular readers of these reviews already know that we greatly
prefer the full game score. That preference has not changed and the
full games would have made this book better (but perhaps 200
pages longer!). Each position or game is introduced by background
and/or anecdotal material, and this adds a wonderfully entertaining
dimension to the book.

Interesting tactical ideas are pursued and discussed. Among them, 
castling after a capture on b2/b7, castling into the classic 
Bishop sacrifice on h2/h7 and castling with the Rook under attack. 
With such common themes investigated, the book also serves as 
a remarkable tactical guide against the castled King.

From the chapter "Sacrificing by Castling"...

Mora-Suttles, Varna, 1962

White: Ke1, Qc1, Ra1, Rh1, Nc3, Nd4, Bc4; pawns - a2, b2, c2,
d3, e4, g2
Black: Ke8, Qd8, Ra8, Rh8, Bf4, Bh5; pawns - a7, b7, c7, d6, e5,
f7, g6

Mora appears to have got himself in a fix, but the Spaniard groped
his way to the emergency exit.

1 0-0! Bxc1 2 Bxf7+ Kd7 3 Be6+ Ke8 4 Bf7+

and Black agreed to a draw. It wasn't as if he had much choice, as
4...Kf8 5 Ne6+ Ke7 6 Nd5+ Kd7 7 Nxd8 Bxb2 8 Ne6 Bxa1 9 Rxa1
is madness.

This book is difficult to put in a clear category. It is part tactics,
part strategy, but regardless - it is completely enjoyable. And not
without instructive value. Timmer has done his homework well -
and we are reaping the rewards.