pixie_poodle
49 ( +1 | -1 )
Upgrading pawns As a new visitor to this site and an inexperienced chess player I hope my question doesn't cause offence! (As an aside I do like the opportunity to fully experience the site before deciding whether to part with any cash)
When I get to upgrade my pawn, is there a proper term for this?, why would anyone choose a rook or a bishop over a queen? I managed to work out why someone may choose a knight(!)but am lost on why a rook or bishop transfer would take place.
More: Play Chess Free Online
mate_you_in_fifty
23 ( +1 | -1 )
Promotion promoting to rook often avoids a stalemate which would happen in the case of a queen promotion.
Bishop promotions are rare,to my knowledge. Sometimes just used as a mild hint that it's time to resign.
More: Play Chess
caldazar
26 ( +1 | -1 )
The term you're looking for is promotion.
Pawns are usually promoted to rooks or bishops instead of queens in situations where promoting to a queen would result in stalemate (i.e., the opponent would have no legal moves, and hence the game would be a draw.)
More: Chess Ratings
mate_you_in_fifty
29 ( +1 | -1 )
here's an example chess.about.com/library/weekly/aa02l21a.htm
Scroll down to the very bottom of that page. Promoting to queen draws while promoting to rook wins.
More: Chess Program
pixie_poodle
18 ( +1 | -1 )
Thank you! Thank you for your swift responses! They certainly make sense. I don't know how some of you manage to keep so many games going, it takes all my efforts to do 2 or 3 at a time!
More: Blitz Chess
chess_champion
17 ( +1 | -1 )
promoting to pieces... other then the queen also shows ones superiority over the other player and therefore that player might want to resign faster.
More: Chess Games
chessnovice
25 ( +1 | -1 )
... I know that in an OTB match, one might prefer to underpromote if their queen is still on the board, and there is a lack of pieces available. I know an upside-down rook is a queen, but who really wants to explain that in the middle of a game?
More: Chess Free