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Promotion

Promotion happens when a pawn reaches the last rank. Promotion turns the pawn into a new piece of the same colour.

White promotes

White pawn is on b7. It moves to b8 and becomes a queen.

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

Black promotes

Black pawn is on b2. It moves to b1 and becomes a queen.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/1p6/4K3 b - - 0 1

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

Promotion in a real game

White pawn advances from its starting square to the last rank. Each step forward brings promotion closer.

FEN: 4k3/8/8/8/8/8/4P3/4K3 w - - 0 1

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

Key points

  • A pawn that reaches the last rank must promote at once. A pawn cannot stay a pawn on the last rank.
  • A pawn may promote to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight.
  • Promotion to a queen is the usual choice, because the queen is the strongest piece.
  • Promotion can happen even when a queen of the same colour is still on the board.
  • Promotion can give check. A new queen on the last rank often attacks the enemy king.

Try it Yourself

Edit the code, then press Run.

Running is simulated · Rust Playground

Exercise

White pawn is on b7. Which move promotes it to a queen?