I'm pretty certain as long as you replace it before hitting the clock you are fine.
http://www.fide.com/fide/handbook.html?id=171&view=article
4.6 and 4.7 are the pertinent articles.
Promoting a pawn according to FIDE rules
Sort:
Forums
Most Recent
Forum Legend
Following
New Comments
Locked Topic
Pinned Topic
Hi!
I was wondering what the FIDE rules says (if it says) about placing a pawn on a promotion square but not replacing it with a piece. If the player pressed his or her clock, then the rules says the player made an illegal move and therefore the pawn must be promoted to a queen. But what happends if the player does not stop his clock?
TLDR; Is it legal to place a pawn on a promotion square and after the placement think which piece he wants to be promoted to, or is he forced to made that decicion before making the move?