Shogi glossary
Promoted knight
Japanese: 成桂
In shogi, a promoted knight (narikei, 成桂) is a knight turned over in the promotion zone. It gives up the jump and moves like a gold, a big upgrade for a piece that otherwise can never retreat.
A promoted knight; moves like a gold.
When promotion is forced
A knight landing on the opponent's last two ranks (ranks a and b for Black, i and h for White) must promote, because an unpromoted knight there would have no legal move. Only on the third rank of the zone, rank c for Black, is promotion a free choice.
When to stay a knight
On that third rank, an unpromoted knight still attacks the two squares two ranks ahead. If those squares hold the enemy king and a rook, the knight is giving check and hitting the rook at once; promoted, it would attack neither.
Otherwise promotion usually wins. From rank c an unpromoted knight can only jump forward again, while a promoted knight can step sideways and back, so a knight that has finished jumping is normally better promoted.
Value
A knight is worth about 4, so moving like a gold is a clear gain, and promoted knights often appear in endgames right next to the enemy king. Once captured, though, it is only a knight again in the opponent's hand.
FAQ
Why must a knight promote on the last two ranks?
Because the knight only jumps two ranks forward, an unpromoted knight on either of the last two ranks could never move. The rules forbid such dead pieces, so the knight must promote there and may not be dropped there.
Related
Terms:
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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