Overloading is a tactical motif in which a piece must carry out more than one critical duty at the same time, such as both defense and attack, and can be forced to give up one of them.

Why Does It Create Tactical Opportunities?

• If a single enemy piece is protecting two different weaknesses, it becomes a target.
• When it responds to one threat, its other duty may be left unattended.
• It is most often seen with the queen, rook, and a defending bishop.

Occupying an overloaded piece is often one of the cleanest ways to win material.