Those familiar with basic chess rules know that a pawn can be promoted into a queen (among other figures) if it reaches the opposite side of the chessboard. However, this requires either having bonus pieces on hand to make a switch or keeping track of the promotion if the original queen is still in play.
Designer Riley Kolbow, behind the YouTube channel Works by Design, recently decided to solve this inconvenience by creating a 3D-printable pawn piece that can be automatically transformed into a queen when promoted.
Kolbow got the idea for the piece from fellow YouTuber Polyfjord, who previously made a similar design and showcased it in an animated form.
After seeing Polyfjord’s video, Kolbow went on a mission to make this intriguing idea a reality. Starting the project in February 2024, he spent months working on the design and mechanism and getting all the details right. The result is a pawn piece that automatically transforms into a queen with a slight tap.
Kolbow documented the entire story behind this cool project in a YouTube video. He also shared the files for 3D printing so chess enthusiasts can create their own pieces. Check it out below.
