Tactics: Deflection

In chess, deflection is a chess tactic that forces an opposing piece to leave the square, rank or file it occupies, thus exposing a valuable piece or the king. The opposing piece does not need to be a guard directly protecting another piece, but can simply be blocking a piece from an attack. In many situations an opponent's piece will become overworked (having multiple defensive assignments) allowing a deflection to occur. A deflection doesn't require a sacrifice, but it is common, especially when a checkmate is involved.

• Every piece is capable of deflection.

The purpose of a successful Deflection Tactic is to:

1. Gain a material advantage.

2. Upset your opponent's defenses.

3. Set up a checkmating opportunity.

Below are several diagrams 
illustrating the deflection tactic.

A green colored box represents the attacking piece(s)
A blue colored box represents the path of attack
A red colored box represents the target(s) of the attack
A purple colored box represents the deflected piece 

Diagram 1.1

(Black to move)

The rook is about to deflect the queen away

 from her C2 post by capturing the B1 rook

Diagram 1.2

(White's reaction)

Since white is in check by black's B1 rook, white's 

queen on C2 must respond with a recapture

Diagram 1.3

(The board after the deflection)

The recapture deflected white's queen away from protecting the 

knight on A4 and leaving it loose for black's C6 queen to capture