Promotion tactics
In short
A pawn on the seventh rank creates tactics everywhere: deflecting the piece that blocks it, sacrificing to clear the promotion square, or promoting with check. Sometimes promoting to a knight gives check or avoids stalemate.
By the end you can
- Use deflection and clearance to promote
- Know when to under-promote
The lesson
A pawn on the seventh rank creates tactics everywhere: deflecting the piece that blocks it, sacrificing to clear the promotion square, or promoting with check. Sometimes promoting to a knight gives check or avoids stalemate.
When defending against such a pawn, blockade it with a piece rather than chase it, and watch for deflection tricks against the blocker.
Key points to remember
- Deflect the blocker
- Clear the promotion square
- Under-promotion when a queen would stalemate or a knight gives check
Examples
Show the solution
44. Rc8 Rxc8 45. dxc8=Q
Show the solution
51... Rc5+ 52. Rxc5 b1=Q
Practise it
Solve puzzles on this idea: promotion puzzles, advanced pawn puzzles.
Homework
15 promotion puzzles.
More tactics lessons
- Hanging pieces: take them and don’t leave them (Novice)
- Double attacks and forks (Novice)
- Pins: pieces that cannot move (Novice)
- Forks with every piece (Class F)
- Using and breaking pins (Class F)
- Skewers and x-rays (Class F)