Promotion Shogi

a player s promotion zone consists of furthest one-third of board – 3 ranks occupied opponent s pieces @ setup. zone typically delineated on shogi boards 2 inscribed dots. when piece moved, if part of piece s path lies within promotion zone (that is, if piece moves into, out of, or wholly within zone; not if dropped zone – see drops), player has option promote piece @ end of turn. promotion indicated turning piece on after moves, revealing character of promoted piece.

if pawn or lance moved furthest rank, or knight moved either of 2 furthest ranks, piece must promote (otherwise, have no legal move on subsequent turns). silver general never required promote, , advantageous keep silver general unpromoted. (it easier, example, extract unpromoted silver behind enemy lines; whereas promoted silver, 1 line of retreat, can blocked.)

promoting piece changes way moves. various pieces promote follows:

a silver general, knight, lance, or pawn has normal power of movement replaced of gold general.
a rook or bishop keeps original movement , gains power move 1 square in direction (like king). promoted bishop, means able reach square on board, given enough moves.
a king or gold general not promote; nor can piece promoted.

when captured, piece loses promoted status. otherwise promotion permanent.

a promoted rook ( dragon king , 龍王 ryūō) moves rook , king. alternate forms: 龍, 竜.

the dragon king

a promoted bishop ( dragon horse , 龍馬 ryūma) moves bishop , king. alternate form: 馬.

the dragon horse

a promoted silver (成銀 narigin) moves same gold general. alternate forms: 全, cursive 金.

the promoted silver

a promoted knight (成桂 narikei) moves same gold general. alternate forms: 圭, 今, cursive 金.

the promoted knight

a promoted lance (成香 narikyō) moves same gold general. alternate forms: 杏, 仝, cursive 金.

the promoted lance

a promoted pawn (と金 tokin) moves same gold general. alternate forms: と, 个.

the promoted pawn