ChessWorld.net, founded in 2000, is an online chess site. Play relaxed, friendly correspondence-style chess — with online daily, turn-based games — at your own pace.
The Deflection: Forcing the Guard Away
Deflection (or Distraction) is a tactic used to force an opponent's piece to move away from a square where it is performing a vital function. Unlike a Decoy (which lures a piece to a bad square), a Deflection pushes a piece away from a good one, leaving a king, piece, or key square undefended.
🛡️ Guard insight: If a piece is defending a key square, push it away! Deflection removes the guard. Master this tactic to leave the enemy King defenseless against your attack.
Deflection Examples
Deflection is a tactical method where a key defending piece is forced away from an important square, file, or duty. Once the defender is removed or diverted, a hidden weakness is exposed and can be exploited immediately. The examples below show how precise forcing moves break defensive coordination.
1. Coup de grace
Nimzovitch vs Alapin
1.Qd8+
Bxd8 2.Re8++
Bxd8 2.Re8++
2. One-move finish 9
Saemisch vs Reindermann
1. Re7
Qxe7 (1... Nxe7 2. Qf7#) (1... Ne5 2. Rxe5 $16) 2. Qd5+ Qf7 3.Qxf7#
Qxe7 (1... Nxe7 2. Qf7#) (1... Ne5 2. Rxe5 $16) 2. Qd5+ Qf7 3.Qxf7#
3. Svenn vs. Kinnmark
Svenn vs Kinmark
1.Qf5!
threatens both Qxd7 and Qxh7 mate and if 1...Qxf5 2.Nf7#
threatens both Qxd7 and Qxh7 mate and if 1...Qxf5 2.Nf7#
4. Never resign a drawn position (1)
Capablanca vs Sir
1...Rxa2!
draws at least, but black missed this and resigned.
draws at least, but black missed this and resigned.
5. Soviet champion beaten
Degerman vs Psakhis
1. Rh4+
Nxh4 2. Qh5+ 1-0 (2....,Qh6 3. Qxf7+ mates)
Nxh4 2. Qh5+ 1-0 (2....,Qh6 3. Qxf7+ mates)
6. Hartston vs. Whiteley
Hartston, W vs Whiteley, A
1.Qg8+
Rf8 2.Qg6+ Qxg6 3.Rexe7+ Kd8 4.Rbd7++
Rf8 2.Qg6+ Qxg6 3.Rexe7+ Kd8 4.Rbd7++
7. Careless move (....;Bg2?)
Bondarevsky vs Ufimtsev
1. Rh8+
Kf7 2. Be8+ Nxe8 3. Kg5 Bxe4 {any other black move also loses.} 4. Rf8++
Kf7 2. Be8+ Nxe8 3. Kg5 Bxe4 {any other black move also loses.} 4. Rf8++
8. Werle vs. Wells
Werle, J vs Wells, P
1.Qf6!
threatens Rg8 and forces mate in 4 more moves at most.
threatens Rg8 and forces mate in 4 more moves at most.
9. Never resign a won position (9)
Wolk vs Oswald
1...Re4!!
{threatening to take the rook on e1!} 2.Rxe4 (2.Rf1 Qxf5) 2...Qa1+ 3.Bd1 Qxd1+ (3...Rxd1+) 4.Re1 Qxe1++
{threatening to take the rook on e1!} 2.Rxe4 (2.Rf1 Qxf5) 2...Qa1+ 3.Bd1 Qxd1+ (3...Rxd1+) 4.Re1 Qxe1++
10. Opening files
Letelier vs Smyslov
1...a5
{wins the white b pawn and the game due to} 2.bxa5?? h2+ 3.Kxh2 Rb8 mating {note a5 was final move in the actual game}.
{wins the white b pawn and the game due to} 2.bxa5?? h2+ 3.Kxh2 Rb8 mating {note a5 was final move in the actual game}.
⚡ Chess Tactics Guide
This page is part of the Chess Tactics Guide — Learn chess tactics through core patterns and practical training — from forks, pins, and skewers to discovered attacks, deflection, and mating ideas.
📖 Essential Chess Glossary
This page is part of the Essential Chess Glossary — A quick-reference dictionary of chess terms, jargon, and definitions — filter by category and understand commentary from beginner to advanced.