Attraction

Attraction means drawing an enemy piece onto a square where it is badly placed. The move is usually forced by a compulsory capture, a check, which is a direct attack on the king, or an immediate threat. The destination matters because the piece may then face another attack, obstruct a defense, or lose an escape route.

The king is a frequent target. A piece may be offered for capture nearby to force the king away from its defenders, open a line, or pull it into a mating net, a coordination of attacks that restricts its escape squares. Attraction can also target a queen, rook, or other piece when its new location allows pieces to be won or another series of forced moves to be carried out.

Many sources use attraction as a synonym for decoy, and some reserve attraction mainly for the king. That distinction is not a rule of chess. To understand the position, identify three elements: which piece is forced to move, where it lands, and what new blow becomes possible there.