What is Deflection in Chess?

Deflection (also known as Distraction) is a tactic that forces an opponent's piece to leave a square where it is performing a critical defensive task, such as guarding a piece or preventing checkmate.

Chess Tactics: The Deflection

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.

1. Coup de grace

Nimzovitch vs Alapin

1.Qd8+
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#

3. Svenn vs. Kinnmark

Svenn vs Kinmark

1.Qf5!
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.

5. Soviet champion beaten

Degerman vs Psakhis

1. Rh4+
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++

7. Careless move (....;Bg2?)

Bondarevsky vs Ufimtsev

1. Rh8+
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.

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++

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}.