Under-Promotion Chess Puzzles

Promote a pawn to a knight, bishop, or rook instead of a queen — sometimes the only way to win or draw.

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Puzzle Info

Rating

3138

Themes

advancedPawnadvantagedeflectionexposedKingmiddlegamepromotionquietMoveunderPromotionveryLong

Popularity

89%

Number of Plays

2,628

Current Turn

About Under-Promotion

Under-promotion involves choosing a knight, bishop, or rook instead of a queen when a pawn reaches the back rank. While rare, it is sometimes the only way to win or avoid stalemate. Under-promoting to a knight is most common, as only a knight can deliver a forking check that a queen cannot. These unexpected moves are among the most surprising in chess.

How to use these puzzles

Study the position carefully before moving any pieces. Try to find the best move on your own, then click on the piece you want to move and select the target square. Use the Hint button if you get stuck. After solving the puzzle, use the Next Puzzlebutton in the Current Turn card to practice another position from this theme.