Attraction in chess is a tactical motif that forces an opponent’s piece — most often the king or a major piece — to move to a disadvantageous square, where it becomes vulnerable to a decisive combination.
The idea relies on a sacrifice or an irresistible threat: you "lure" the enemy piece onto a specific square, then exploit its new position. For instance, offering a piece that must be captured can drag the opponent’s king or queen onto a square where a fork, checkmate, or skewer becomes available. The enemy is given an offer they cannot refuse — and then punished for accepting it.
In practice, look for attraction when the opponent’s king or a valuable piece is just one move away from an exposed square. Ask yourself: "If I sacrifice here, where does the enemy piece go, and what can I play next?" This two-step thinking is the key to spotting this motif over the board.
