Look! It's Elvis! (The Decoy Part 1)

The Decoy--a Seriously Dangerous Distraction, Part 1 -- By Ms Jessica Martin (aka BoundingOwl)

Aloha!  Have you ever been so absorbed in a book that you didn't know it was time for dinner?  Or maybe you were supposed to be doing your homework but you were distracted by the kids playing basketball outside?  A decoy is a tactic, or trick, that lures you away from what you are doing, and then you get tricked by another piece!

This trick is very similar to deflection, which means turning away from or distracting.

In the following puzzle, the bishop lures the queen to just the right spot.

 

 

Once we play Bb5, the queen is pinned.  If she stays, she gets eaten.  If she captures the bishop, she is perfectly placed for the deadly knight fork.  Did you see that?

The decoy is a lure.  Once you get the pieces where you want them, your next tactic is all lined up!  I hope you have been reading my previous articles about pins, skewers, forks, double attacks, and discoveries.  Do you remember Hansel and Gretel?

 

The witch lured them to her house with candy and sweets.  Don't be fooled!

In this diagram, it could be white or black to move.  If it's white's turn, you want to lure the king to a square where the knight could fork him and the queen.

 

What about if it's black's turn?   Do you see a mate in two?

 

Black to move:  1...Qc1+  2. Kxc1 Ra1#!

Go to part two.  Go directly to part two.  Do not pass go.  Do not collect $100.