Chess rules

Pawn promotion: turning a pawn into a queen

When a pawn reaches the far side of the board it must become a queen, rook, bishop or knight. Most players take a queen, but not always. Try three cases below.

Pawn promotion explained

A pawn that reaches the eighth rank (the first rank for Black) is promoted. You choose the new piece, and it takes effect at once. You are not limited to pieces already captured, so you can have two or more queens.

Promoting to something other than a queen is called underpromotion. It matters in a few positions: to give a check, to fork two pieces, or to avoid stalemate.

Is promotion required?

Yes. The pawn must change into another piece when it reaches the last rank.

Can I promote to a king?

No. You can choose queen, rook, bishop or knight.

Can I capture while promoting?

Yes. A pawn can capture diagonally onto the last rank and promote at the same time.

Try it in a real game

Cats vs Dogs Chess: 3d chess with cats and dogs

Cats vs Dogs Chess is a 3D chess game with five computer levels and a pass-the-phone mode. Free in your browser.

Play Cats vs Dogs Chess

Practice puzzles

Promotion puzzlesPlay on a real board Advanced pawn puzzlesPlay on a real board

Keep learning

En passantChess rules Check, checkmate and stalemateChess rules How the pieces moveInteractive Chess puzzlesFree trainer

Questions

Can you have two queens?

Yes. If you promote a pawn while you still have your original queen, you will have two.

Why would you promote to a knight?

Sometimes a knight gives a check or a fork that a queen cannot, or it avoids a stalemate.

What happens if the pawn is blocked?

It cannot move forward onto an occupied square, so it cannot promote until the way is clear or it can capture diagonally onto the last rank.