Underpromotion Puzzle Generator

Master a rare but decisive special tactic with Underpromotion. Create PDF worksheets focused on the critical situations where promoting a pawn to a Knight, Rook, or Bishop is better than promoting to a Queen, often to deliver a clever checkmate or to avoid stalemate.

How to Create Your Worksheet

1. Select Difficulty

All puzzles are for intermediate to advanced players who understand basic promotion. Difficulty depends on the complexity of the reason for underpromoting.

2. Choose Quantity

Select how many Underpromotion puzzles you want for your training in special tactics.

3. Generate & Preview

Instantly see your unique set of puzzles where the obvious move (promoting to a queen) is a mistake.

4. Download PDF

Download your worksheet to study these fascinating and often beautiful exceptions to the rule.

Underpromotion Worksheet Features

Promote to a Knight

Practice the most common reason for underpromotion: promoting to a knight to deliver an immediate, game-winning check, fork, or checkmate.

Avoid Stalemate

Learn to spot situations where promoting to a queen would remove all legal moves for the opponent, resulting in a draw. Promoting to a rook can keep the game going.

Improve Your Creativity

Solving these puzzles forces you to think outside the box and consider all options, not just the most obvious one.

A Mark of a Strong Player

Correctly executing an underpromotion in a game is a clear sign of a skilled and careful chess player.

Underpromotion Puzzle FAQs

What is underpromotion?

Underpromotion is the act of promoting a pawn to a piece less valuable than a Queen (i.e., a Knight, Rook, or Bishop).

When should I underpromote?

There are two main reasons: 1) To deliver an immediate check or fork with a Knight that a Queen could not. 2) To avoid stalemating your opponent, which would turn a winning position into a draw. Promoting to a rook can keep the game going.