What can a pawn promote to in chess?
A pawn that reaches the far row must become a queen, rook, bishop or knight of its own colour, never a king or a pawn. Most players choose a queen.
When a pawn reaches the last row (the eighth row for White, the first for Black), it must be replaced by another piece straight away. You choose which one: a queen, rook, bishop or knight of your own colour. It can’t stay a pawn and it can’t become a king.
How it works in Trindo
- Move the pawn to the last row and a “Choose your piece” window opens.
- Pick the piece; your move is complete only after you do, and you can cancel the move instead.
- Promotion also happens when a pawn captures onto the last row.
Queen or something else?
A queen is almost always strongest, and you may have more than one at once. Choosing a rook, bishop or knight is called underpromotion. It is legal and rare, but a knight attacks in a pattern a queen doesn’t, which is occasionally worth more.
Promotion is one of the special moves, alongside castling and en passant.
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