The Promotion Zone
📋 What it is
A piece may promote when it moves into, within, or out of the last three ranks (the enemy's side).
🗣️ Coach says
The far three rows are the promotion zone. Move a piece into, inside, or out of that zone and you MAY flip it over to its stronger promoted form (a Silver/Knight/Lance/Pawn becomes Gold-like; Bishop→Horse; Rook→Dragon). Promotion is usually optional — but sometimes forced so a piece isn't stranded.
🧠 Memory hook
Reach the far three ranks → flip to the stronger side. Usually your choice.
😂 Giggle
Why did the shogi player refuse to waste captured pieces?
Because in this game, nothing goes to waste — it all comes back to hand!
😲 Whoa!
Almost every piece except the King and Gold can promote — and once flipped, it STAYS promoted for the rest of the game, even if it retreats out of the zone.
✅ Quick check: Where on the board can a piece promote?
Say your answer out loud first — then reveal.
When it moves into, within, or out of the promotion zone — the last three ranks on the enemy's side of the board.
Promotion is triggered by moving through the opponent's three back ranks.
🧪 Try it! (2 minutes)
March a Pawn into the far three ranks and flip it to its promoted (Gold-like) form.