Puny to Powerful!

As we've seen, Pawns are only able to move forward as they progress throughout the game. Pawns either push forward through a File or capture diagonally during the game, but can NEVER move backwards or side to side.

So what happens when a Pawn reaches the opposite side of the chessboard where there are no more squares for the Pawn to move into?

The Pawn gets promoted into a new piece!

Here White will push their Pawn on d7 into the d8 square playing d8. Once this Pawn is moved into the d8 square White may promote their Pawn into a Queen.

After White promotes their Pawn into a new piece in the d8 square it will be Black's turn.

Choose Your Weapon

Players may choose to promote their Pawn into either a Queen, Rook, Knight or Bishop, however the Pawn cannot remain a Pawn or become a second King.

Here White promotes their into a Rook.

When players choose to promote a Pawn into another piece aside from a Queen this is called "Under Promotion". As we'll see below, "Under Promotion" might be a very useful tactic to use in order to win the game!

Apprehending At The End

Pawns may also Apprehend or Capture a piece on the last Rank (the 8th Rank for White or the 1st Rank for Black) to promote into a new piece.

Here White plays fxg8 with their Pawn promoting into a Queen creating a check against Black's King. Apprehending Black's Knight, with a check and promoting to a Queen.... what could the downside be?!

Unfortunately, Black's King can Apprehend White's Pawn after promotion.  Granted, White did capture Black's Knight, however after Black captures White's Queen on g8, Black will still have a significant material advantage and will have a very high chance of winning the game!

Safety First

It's important players identify safe squares for their Pawn to promote into so they cannot be Apprehended or captured by their opponent!

Here White can safely move their f7 Pawn into the f8 square and it will be safe from Capture or Apprehend maneuever.

White will have a 5 Pawns, a Knight, Bishop, Queen and King whereas Black will have 6 Pawns, a Knight, a Bishop, Queen and King. Black is ahead, but White will have a fighting chance!

There is however a better idea for White.

Under Promotion, A Path to Victory!

Players should remember they don't need to always promote to a Queen, and promoting to a piece such as a Rook or Knight might actually be the best path to victory!

Here white will move into f8 and promote their Pawn into a Knight which actually creates a Checkmate against Black's King!

A Checkmate Confirmation

We have yet to see a checkmate with a Knight so this is new ground. Below we'll show exactly why this is Checkmate against the Black King.

Remember, there are only 3 ways for a player to escape check.

A player may Dodge with the King, Apprehend the checking piece or Disrupt the checking piece's view of the King. If a player cannot use one o these techniques their King is in checkmate!

Because Knights are able to jump over other pieces the only way to stop a Knight's check are to Dodge or Apprehend the Knight.

Black CANNOT capture White's Knight on f8 so will attempt to move into h8 - an illegal move! This means the Black King cannot Dodge into h8 to escape White's Checkmate.

No Escape, Mate!

Here Black will try to escape the Knight's check by Apprehending/capturing the Knight on g6 to escape check.

Unfortunately for Black this g6 square is seen by White's Knight on f8 and White's Pawn on h5 so moving the King into this square would be illegal!

On to the next lesson!