From: John Kenney <KENNEY <at> EMBL-HEIDELBERG <dot> DE>
Date: 15 feb 1993
Subject: Re: Beginner's questions!

Chris writes:
 
>1: It states that a piece cannot be dropped onto a square from which
>   it cannot legally move.  I realize that this means you can't drop a
>   kNight in the last two ranks, and the lance can't be dropped on the
>   last rank, but does this also mean that a lance cannot be dropped
>   anywhere but the outside (1 and 9) files?
A lance can be dropped on any of the files, just not on the last rank.
 
>2: The pamphlet also states that promotion may be done on any move
>   that begins or ends in the promotion zone.  Does this mean, for
>   instance, that a rook may enter the promotion zone, not promote, and
>   then, on its next move, move back to its home territory and promote
>   on that move?  Or must the promotion take place within the promotion
>   zone?
Promotion is not manditory and can be made even if not done at the first
available opportunity. So, yes, the rook could have promoted when it moved
back to its home territory (as long as the starting square was in the
promotion zone, as described). However, once promoted the piece can not
unpromote.
 
John
InterNet: Kenney <at> EMBL-Heildeberg <dot> DE