The deflection is a tactical move that involves diverting the attention of your opponent’s pieces away from their intended goal, allowing you to make a surprise move that puts you in a better position. Using the deflection tactic to divert an opponent’s attention towards an overworked piece can lead to an instant collapse of their defense, resulting in an imminent victory for the player who executed the deflection move.
Check the following game. It demonstrates a typical trap that takes advantage of the deflection pattern. The tactic employs three steps:
- Get a bishop to the attack position, aiming at the weak square f7 that is usually protected only by a king.
- Lure the opponent into opening the d-file where both queens are located.
- Deflect the defending king by sacrificing the bishop at f7. Since the king is overloaded (protects the square f7 and the queen at d8), it is forced to move away from the queen. Then the attacker captures the queen, which is sufficient to win the game.
The deflection tactic is a powerful tool in a chess player’s arsenal. By distracting your opponent’s pieces and diverting their attention away from their intended goal, you can gain a significant advantage on the board. While it may take some practice to master, incorporating the deflection tactic into your game can help you become a more formidable chess player.