Underpromotion is promoting a pawn to a knight, rook or bishop instead of a queen. It is right when a knight gives a check or fork, or a queen would give stalemate.
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Start0/3
A queen is almost always best. The exceptions are a knight that checks or forks where a queen cannot, and a queen that would leave the enemy king stalemated.
How to do it
- 1When a pawn is about to promote, consider all four pieces, not just the queen.
- 2Look for a knight check or fork from the promotion square.
- 3Check that a new queen would not give stalemate.
For your level
A pawn at the end can become anything. Most times, pick a queen. Sometimes a knight is better.
Check you have it
Question 1 of 1
Play the moves through and count. How much material has the attacker won?
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Common mistakes
- Making a queen without thinking and giving stalemate.
- Underpromoting when a queen would win just as well.
Questions
- When should I promote to a knight?
- When the new knight gives a check or fork that matters. A queen cannot move like a knight, so a knight sometimes does what a queen cannot.
- Why would anyone promote to a rook?
- To avoid stalemate. A rook covers fewer squares than a queen, which can leave the enemy king the legal move it needs.