Attraction (decoy) puzzles
84 free attraction (decoy) puzzles from real games, rated 897 to 2369. Solve them on the board below; your accuracy feeds your weakness map.
What is a attraction (decoy)?
Attraction, also called a decoy, forces an enemy piece onto a particular square, usually with a sacrifice it has to capture. On that square it becomes the target of a fork, pin or mate.
It's the mirror image of deflection: instead of pulling a piece away, you pull it in.
Common mistake
Choosing a decoy the opponent doesn't have to accept.
How to spot it
Find a square where an enemy king or queen would be forkable or matable.
Look for a sacrifice on that square that has to be taken.
King attraction sacrifices (Bxh7+, Rxg7+) often lead to forced mate.
Related themes
- ClearanceClear a square or line for another piece.
- InterferenceCut the line between two enemy pieces.
- X-ray attackAttack or defend through another piece.
- ZugzwangEvery move makes it worse.
- Quiet moveNo check, no capture, and still winning.
Let the adaptive drill find your weakest pattern
Puzzles: Lichess puzzle database (CC0), filtered for popularity and play count. See how Weakspot works.