9179 Players currently online!
Man vs. Machine - good luck!
Turn-based games at any time!
Vote for the best move to win!
Do you have what it takes?
Sharpen your tactical vision!
Get advice and game insights!
Learn from top players & pros!
View millions of master games!
Your virtual chess coach!
Perfect your opening moves!
Test your skills vs. computer!
Find the right private coach!
Can you solve it each day?
Bring it all together!
Beginners, start here!
Make friends & play team games!
News from the world of chess!
Search all Chess.com members!
Find local clubs & events!
Who's the best of your friends?
Read what members are saying!
Theoryful
Is there any reason to choose anything but a queen when your pawn reaches the opposite side. I'm not sure if some1's coverd this yet but seriously, I always choose queen. Why anything else?
MattMay
There are occasions where a promotion to a Knight delivers mate
RC_Woods
I have an example where you have to pick a rook because otherwise the other player is able to force a draw. I think an alike situation might be possible with having to choose a bishop, even though I have not seen an example of that.
There is also situations were picking a knight is beneficial. Either to again avoid a draw, because there is an immediate check/fork or because you just really like knights.
In short, it is rare but there definitely are instances were a queen is *not* the best choice :).
jefe5000
Also, sometimes promotion to a queen would be stalemate, so promoting to a different piece is necessary.
oginschile
http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1098358
Here is an excellent example.
bastiaan
That's all true but the main reason for underpromotion i see, is attitude.Not in a bad way, but either winning with a rook or with a queen. It doesn't really matter.Probably is there is such an underpromotion, resignation would have been the best option a while ago. The rest of the game isn't that exciting anymore so I'd say.It's mostly messing around.
In 99% I choose the queen, It's also the fastest piece to get a mate with (in most situations).
Here is an excellent example from a game between two internet players. One of the top players on this site may remember this one... he was involved (and while losing the game, he actually pointed the forced mate out to his opponent).
Mate in One 2
by ivom a few minutes ago
To all native English speakers: clarification needed
by AllProHipHop a few minutes ago
5/26/2012 - Ragozin - Veresov, Moscow 1945
by domalius 5 minutes ago
White Pussy Cat
by RainbowRising 6 minutes ago
Just how great is Anand?
by BruceBenedict 7 minutes ago
CPOTM May 2012 cont.
by mrguy888 10 minutes ago
Have your chess skills helped you in real life?
by BruceBenedict 11 minutes ago
Why does TT deduct points when I solve problem?
by corpsporc 17 minutes ago
Turn-based points clarification
by top2pr 29 minutes ago
Smith-Morra defence
by echecs06 29 minutes ago