To become

A very important rule in Shogi concerns promotion.

At the beginning of the game, both players place their pieces (koma) in the first three rows in front of them. Players can reach the last three rows of the Shogiban and promote their koma.

In summary, a player’s promotion area is the opponent’s starting area.

Promotion is usually a free choice, not an obligation.

You can promote a piece by:

Entering the promotion area.
Exiting the promotion area.
Crossing the promotion area.

All koma must be able to move on the next turn. Koma cannot remain blocked. For this reason, a koma in the promotion area may be forced to promote if unable to move on the next turn. Example: Fuhyo, Kyosha, Keima.

Osho, Gyokusho, and Kinsho cannot be promoted.