Attraction (chess)

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In chess, attraction is a tactical motif, typically involving a sacrifice that attracts an opposing piece, often the king, to a square where its new position can be exploited by a tactic favoring the attacker. This tactic is also referred to in chess literature as a decoy sacrifice.

## Examples[edit]

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Example of attraction

In the diagram, after the moves 1.Rf8+ Kxf8 (forced) 2.Nd7+ Ke7 3.Nxb6, White wins the queen and the game. A similar, but more complex position is described by Huczek.[1]

The second diagram shows a position from Vidmar–Euwe, Carlsbad 1929. Black had just played 33…Qf4, threatening mate on h2. White now uncorks the elegant combination 34.Re8+ Bf8 (forced) 35.Rxf8+ (attraction) Kxf8 (forced) 36.Nf5+ (discovered check) Kg8 (36…Ke8 37.Qe7#) 37.Qf8+ (attraction) 1–0 Black resigns. (If 37…Kxf8 then 38.Rd8#.) The combination after 33…Qf4 features two separate examples of the attraction motif.[2]

Vidmar vs. Euwe, 1929

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Position after 33...Qf4

Chess opening

Attraction

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Moves| 61…Rh1+ 62.Kxh1 Nxg3+ 63.Kh2 Nxh5 64.Resigns
ECO| B80-B89
Parent| Sicilian defense (Open), Scheveningen, Classical Variation

The third diagram on the right shows a position from the game Dementiev-Dzindzichashvili, URS 1972. White had just played 61.g6 (with the threat 62.Qh7+ Kf8 63.Rxf5+). However, Black continued with the crushing 61…Rh1+ (attraction) 62. Kxh1(best) Nxg3+ (the White rook is pinned) 63.Kh2 Nxh5 (and White has dropped his queen to the knight fork). In the game White resigned after 61…Rh1+.[3]

## References[edit]

1. ^ George Huczek (2017). A to Z Chess Tactics. Batsford. pp. 1–349. ISBN 978-1-8499-4446-5.
2. ^ "Master Games". Chess.com. Retrieved 2021-01-25.
3. ^ chess.com. "'Master Games'". chess.com. Retrieved 2021-02-02.