Deflection is lesson 4 of 9 in Real-game tactics 6: Combinations and quiet moves, a tactics course suited to players rated around 1600 (club players). Force a defender to leave its post, often with a sacrifice it has to take. It has 6 interactive exercises: 6 calculated lines from real positions. You play every move on a board and get feedback straight away. The lesson is free.
What you practise
Black to move: deflect a defender and win. (2 positions)
White to move: deflect a defender and win. (4 positions)
Worked examples
Black to move: deflect a defender and win. 1...Re2+ 2.Qxe2 Qxe2+ 3.Kh3 Qf1+. The rook sacrifice on e2 dragged the queen away from its duty. You come out 4 points ahead in material.
White to move: deflect a defender and win. 1.Qf6+ Rxf6 2.exf6+ Qxf6 3.Nxf6. The queen sacrifice on f6 dragged the rook away from its duty. You come out 3 points ahead in material.
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