What is Underpromotion in chess?
Promoting a pawn to a rook, bishop, or knight instead of a queen.
Underpromotion is rare but sometimes necessary - for example, when promoting to a queen would immediately stalemate the opponent. Promoting to a knight is the most creative, as it can give an unexpected check that a queen could not.
Spot underpromotion in your own games
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Analyze my games →More chess terms
- StalemateA draw where the player to move has no legal move and isn't in check.
- CheckA direct attack on the king that must be dealt with immediately.
- CheckmateThe king is in check and has no legal way to escape - the game is over.
- DrawA game that ends with no winner - both players score half a point.
- Threefold repetitionThe same position occurring three times in a game allows either player to claim a draw.
- Fifty-move ruleA draw can be claimed if 50 moves pass with no pawn move and no capture.