Soldier Pawn

by Ibrahim
(Cuddalore, Tamilnadu, India)

Q. How do you decide what piece soldier promotes to? Do soldiers promote to different pieces depending on what file they promote? What will happen when my soldier occupies the opponent place of horse?

A. When a pawn reaches the final rank in the knight's file (or any other file), it can promote to any back row piece apart from a king. In other variants the file is significant, the pawn would promote to a bishop in a bishop file or a knight in a knight file and so on. But not so in Western Chess. A queen is usually requested. Otherwise it is referred to as under-promotion when a knight, bishop or rook is requested. Further reading is available on pawn promotion.

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Sep 19, 2012
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Good Answer
by: Jane Jackson

The above sharing regarding the Pawn was really useful for a beginner like me. This properties of the pawn can be used as a strategy for taking a lead in the game. I think the pawn is central to chess strategy. Thank you for sharing this piece with the Chess Playing people.

Sep 17, 2012
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Almost Anything
by: Billy Wong

A pawn that reaches the opposing player's back row can then be promoted into any other piece at its owner's discretion, except for a king. The queen is typically a favorite to promote it to due to its movement ability, although promoting it to a knight can be more beneficial in a specific situation.

Sep 17, 2012
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Helpful!
by: Jennifer Long

I had heard about file related promotion and was confused because previously I had always thought one promoted to a queen. Thank you for clarifying. I can choose whatever piece I want except a king, and a queen makes the most sense to me.

Sep 17, 2012
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Pawn Promotion
by: T Ramamoorthy

When a soldier reaches the final row in some chess variants it can promote by request to any back row piece apart from a king. In other words the row is significant, the pawn would promote to a horse in a horse file or a rook in a rook file and so on. But this does not follow in Western Chess. It is upgraded to a queen, knight, bishop or rook as requested.

Sep 17, 2012
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Watch out for Stalemate
by: Roberto Martinez

When promoting the pawn you have to avoid stalmating the opponent's king, so be careful in choosing which piece to ask for. A queen is desirable but sometimes you can check with a knight upon promoting and thus force the King out of hiding, or avoid the opponent's promotion, at least for one turn.

Sep 17, 2012
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Soldier Pawn Is The Little Soldier
by: WAJID2020

Soldier pawn is the small or the little one you see in a chess board. It is usually used as a defending wall for the important ones of the team. A soldier pawn is also used to suppress the opposing team.

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