What "pawn promotion" means in chess

Pawn promotion is a rule that allows a pawn to be transformed into any other piece (except a king) if it reaches the opponent's side of the board. The player who controls the pawn can choose to promote it to a queen, rook, bishop, or knight, depending on which piece they think will be most useful to them. The promoted piece is placed on the square the pawn reached and can be moved on the next turn. Pawn promotion is a key strategic element of chess, as it can significantly alter the course of a game.