Decoy tactics work by sacrificing material to force an enemy piece onto a specific square that creates a new tactical opportunity. The most common decoy scenario involves luring the king to a square where a fork becomes possible, or drawing a piece onto a line where it can be pinned or skewered.
A classic example is sacrificing a queen on a square where only the king can capture, and after the king takes, a knight fork wins back the queen plus additional material. The sacrifice serves as the bait that lures the enemy piece to the fatal square.
Decoys and deflections are closely related and often work together in combinations. The key distinction is the purpose: deflection moves a piece away from where it's needed, while decoy moves a piece toward where you want it. Both are fundamental patterns that appear frequently in tactical puzzles and practical play.