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In sharp contrast to international chess, where only pawns can promote to higher-ranked pieces, most of the pieces in shogi can promote. The promoted ranks are discussed in the section on piece moves (see section 2.1.1 The moves of the pieces) but are repeated here for reference:
The three ranks furthest away from each player constitute his/her "promotion zone". A player may, but is not required to, promote a piece after making a move in which the piece begins and/or ends in the promotion zone. Thus you can promote a piece when moving the piece into the promotion zone, out of the promotion zone, or entirely within the promotion zone. Promotion is mandatory in these cases:
These forced promotions ensure that a piece cannot be moved to a square from which it would have no further move.
Pieces "dropped" onto the board (see section 2.1.4 Drops) always drop in the unpromoted state, even if they drop into the promotion zone.
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