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pawn promotion

chess
Also known as: promotion, queening

Quick Summary

In chess, pawn promotion occurs when a pawn reaches the opposite side of the board, the eighth rank. Upon reaching this rank, the pawn must be exchanged for another piece: a queen, rook, bishop, or knight. This rule significantly changed the game after 1475, as the pawn's potential to become a queen, the most powerful piece, added a dynamic element.12

An "underpromotion" is when a pawn is promoted to a bishop, knight, or rook instead of a queen. This strategic choice can be crucial in the endgame.34

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