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Pawn Races and Promotion Races

A pawn race means both sides push passed pawns toward promotion. The side that promotes first with check usually wins the race.

Two passed pawns race

White pawn is on a5 and Black pawn is on h5. Both pawns are passed and both sides push toward promotion.

FEN: k7/8/8/P6p/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 P . . . . . . p 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

White pawn advances

White pawn moves from a5 to a6. It is one step closer to a8, where it will promote.

FEN: k7/8/8/P6p/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 k . . . . . . . 8
7 . . . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 P . . . . . . p 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

A pawn promotes with check

White pawn is on b7. It moves to b8 and becomes a queen, giving check to the Black king on e8.

FEN: 4k3/1P6/8/8/8/8/8/4K3 w - - 0 1

a b c d e f g h
8 . . . . k . . . 8
7 . P . . . . . . 7
6 . . . . . . . . 6
5 . . . . . . . . 5
4 . . . . . . . . 4
3 . . . . . . . . 3
2 . . . . . . . . 2
1 . . . . K . . . 1
  a b c d e f g h

Key points

  • Count the moves each pawn needs to reach the last rank. The pawn that needs fewer moves is ahead in the race.
  • A pawn that promotes with check gains a move. The new queen gives check and the enemy must answer it.
  • A pawn that promotes without check lets the enemy promote at once. The race then depends on the new queens.
  • Stop the enemy pawn with your king or pawn when you can, because a stopped pawn loses the race.
  • In a race, push your pawn before moving other pieces. Every move spent elsewhere gives the enemy a move in the race.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

Both sides have passed pawns and both push toward promotion. What is this called?