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I was playing white and I had one pawn at a7 and the other at a6. My opponent didn't let me promote the pawn to a Queen stating that when two pawns are in the same column then the pawn doesn't get promoted.

Is this correct? If so, then what happens to a pawn which reaches a8? Does that become useless?

enter image description here

ire_and_curses
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Anon
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    I've never heard if that rule, and looking at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promotion_%28chess%29 it doesn't seem to be listed... – Nick Jan 17 '14 at 10:24
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    btw: if you had a pawn on a7 and a pawn on a6 they're on the same file (or column) not the same row – crownjewel82 Jan 17 '14 at 15:47

4 Answers4

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Your friend was wrong. There is no rule preventing a pawn from being promoted outside the normal move restriction rules (e.g. you can't leave your king in check).

Stephen
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I am a chess arbiter and I can confirm that this rule does not exist whatsoever in the FIDE rules of chess. The only restriction to promotion is if it's an illegal move.

Amaras
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Some players will do anything to try to prevent them losing...

From the position above, white promotes and black may as well resign. White can make a 2nd queen and give one of them up if necessary to prevent black's attack with the d and e pawns. You won't even need to do that though. If black moves Ke4 his pawn on d5 is pinned, if he plays d5-d4 you go Qf3+ and if he plays Ke6 you just go Qc6+. Anything else and you just capture on d5.

CashCow
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There is never any difference in restrictions when a pawn queens, regarding pawns in the same file behind it. (Of course you can't overtake the pawn in front) [my rating: 1920]

doppelgreener
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z0mbi3
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  • Difference between what? I'm not sure how this is responding to the question. – doppelgreener Nov 22 '14 at 03:27
  • Sorry for not being clear. There is never any difference in restrictions when a pawn queens, regarding pawns in the same file behind it. – z0mbi3 Nov 22 '14 at 15:53