Promotion

A player's promotion zone is the far third of the board, the three ranks occupied by the opposing pieces at setup. If a piece moves across the board and part of that path lies within the promotion zone, that is, if it moves into, out of, or wholly within the zone, but not if it is dropped (see below), then that player may choose to promote the piece at the end of the turn. Promotion is indicated by turning the piece over after it moves, revealing the character for the promoted rank.

If a pawn or lance reaches the far rank or a knight reaches either of the two farthest ranks, it must promote, as it would otherwise have no legal move on subsequent turns. A silver general never needs to promote, and it is often advantageous to keep a silver general unpromoted.

A player's promotion zone (green)
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When captured, pieces lose their promoted status. Otherwise promotion is permanent.

Promoting a piece has the effect of changing how that piece moves. Each piece promotes as follows:

  • A silver general, knight, lance, or pawn replaces its normal power of movement with the power of a gold general.
  • A rook or bishop keeps its original power of movement and gains the power to move one square in any direction, like a king. This means that a promoted bishop is able to reach any square on the board, given enough moves.
  • A king or a gold general cannot promote, nor can pieces which are already promoted.

Promoted rook

A promoted rook (dragon king) may move as a rook or as a king, but not as both on the same turn.

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The dragon king
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Promoted bishop

A promoted bishop ("dragon horse") may move as a bishop or as a king, but not as both on the same turn.

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The dragon horse
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