Decoy

Decoy refers to enticing a piece (usually through sacrifice) to a specific square. This is normally done so that some tactical operation – such as a double attack or pin will be successful after that.

Here is an example:

Almeida Quintana(2527) – Ibarra Chami(2369)

43^rd Capablanca Memorial Open, 2008

White to move, Beginner puzzle, KEBU Chess Tactics Software 2009

Here White played 22.f7+! when the pawn acts a decoy to attract the king to the f7 square. And now after 22…Kxf7 23.Bh5+! Kf8 24.Bxe8 and White has won a rook for a bishop and pawn. Of course, after 22.f7+ Black cannot refuse to capture the f7-pawn since this would result in the loss of his rook for a single pawn.

Here’s another example:

Dinstuhl(2436) - Richter(2421)

Bundesliga, 2009

Black to move, Beginner puzzle, KEBU Chess Tactics Software 2009

Black played 27…Rc1! White declined the decoy sacrifice since if 28.Rxc1 Qxe3+ Black not only regains the rook and emerges ahead a pawn – but also will deliver mate shortly thereafter. Therefore White had to continue 28.Rdd1 Rxd1 29.Rxd1 Qxe3+ And Black was ahead a pawn with a decisive advantage.

These examples were taken from games played very recently (last year) directly from KEBU Chess Tactics Software. You can download a free version here for more puzzles like these.