Promotion
A pawn that reaches the last rank turns into a queen, rook, bishop or knight. Learn how promotion works and why the queen is usually the choice.
From pawn to queen
When a pawn reaches the far end of the board, it must be promoted: you swap it for a queen, rook, bishop or knight of your color. You can even have two or three queens at once. Almost always you pick a queen, because she is the strongest piece.
Crown your pawn
Your turn
Your pawn is one step from the end. Promote it to a queen.
Show the answer
A new queen, and with check too. Black's rook is no match for her.
Promote by capturing
Your turn
The square in front of your pawn is blocked. Find another way to promote.
Show the answer
Pawn takes the rook and becomes a queen in the same move. You won a rook and gained a queen.
Quick check
Question
Your pawn reaches the last rank. Which of these can it NOT become?
Show the answer
A king
Each side has exactly one king. A pawn may become a queen, rook, bishop or knight.
More in Rules
Castling
Castling moves the king and a rook in one turn, tucking the king away and bringing the rook into play. Learn how and when you may castle.
En passant
A special pawn capture: when an enemy pawn rushes two squares past yours, you may take it as if it had moved only one. Learn when it's allowed.
Check and checkmate
When your king is attacked you must save it. Learn the three ways out of check, and how to give a checkmate that ends the game.
Stalemate
If your opponent has no legal move and is not in check, the game is a draw. Learn to avoid this trap when you are winning.
The knight
The knight jumps in an L-shape and is the only piece that can leap over others. Learn its move and why it hates the corner.