Shogi glossary
Decline promotion
Japanese: 不成
In shogi, declining promotion (narazu, 不成) means choosing to leave a piece unturned when its move into, within or out of the promotion zone would allow promotion. It is legal whenever the piece could still move afterwards.
Choosing to keep a piece unpromoted when promotion is allowed.
When you cannot decline
Pawns and lances landing on the last rank, and knights landing on the last two ranks, must promote, because unpromoted they would never move again. Silvers, rooks and bishops can always decline, and golds and kings never have the option.
When declining makes sense
The real decisions involve the three pieces that lose something by promoting. A silver keeps its backward diagonals for retreats and attacks from behind. A knight on the third rank of the zone keeps its two forward targets, which may mean a fork or a check. A lance on the second or third rank keeps its long line along the file.
Pawns, rooks and bishops almost always promote, since the promoted form keeps every original move. Mate problems occasionally feature an unpromoted rook, bishop or pawn, usually as a way around the pawn-drop mate rule.
Options stay open
Declining is rarely final. Promotion is offered move by move, so you can wait until the extra gold moves are actually needed.
Try it · from “Promotion”
Capture the gold with your knight.
FAQ
If I decline promotion, can I promote later?
Yes. A piece that stays unpromoted in the zone may promote on any later move that starts or ends there, including a move back out of the zone.
Related
Terms:
I don't do defense. Hope you brought a castle!
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