Chess concept reference

Attraction

Force a piece, often the king, onto a vulnerable square.

The idea

Attraction is the forcing cousin of decoy. You pull a piece toward danger, usually with check or capture.

Why it matters

Attraction helps players see sacrifices as geometry, not just bravery.

Recognize it

  • The king has only a few legal replies.
  • A sacrifice forces the target square.
  • The follow-up is checkmate or material gain.

Common mistakes

  • Sacrificing without calculating every forced reply.
  • Attracting the king to safety instead of danger.
  • Missing a quiet defensive resource.