The Forgotten Task

 When we move a piece to a certain square, we do it because we want it to perform a certain task there. Sometimes it can perform several tasks at the same time, such as controlling an important diagonal and also protecting an important pawn. An ideally placed piece sits on the square from which it can perform the most important tasks. When our opponent has an ideally placed piece, we must immediately try to chase it away, or trade it off.

A common theme, the forgotten task, occurs when we spot a better square for a piece. While exploring what that piece can do on the new square, it's easy to forget what the piece was doing on it's original square. Here's a basic example:

N.N - Me (Swedish League, 2023)

 Black has just played Bb7, threatening Qc7-Qc6-Qxg2 mate. At the moment, though, this is effectively prevented by the strong Knight on d4. So, White is not in immediate danger, the diagonals towards their King are clearly vulnerable. After a long thought, White found a combination that would net him two pawns: 1. Nxe6. Now, 1...fxe6 2.Qxe6 Qf7 3.Qxe5 leads to a sharp position with mutual chances, but the poor Knight completely forgot that it had an all-important task on d4. 1...Qc6 and White resigned, facing an unstoppable mate.

Takeaway

We should always strive to improve the placement of our pieces, but before you do, take a moment to make sure that you're not abandoning some important task.