Checklist before you make a move What is the checklist that you generally follow before you make a move?

I would generally look first for forcing moves (checks/captures), then moves that give me some positional edge.

It would be good to know what good players think during moves.
1) Did my opponent’s last move contain a threat? Is the threat real and something I need to respond to? Or am I able to ignore that move and continue with my plan?

2) Do my pieces have sufficient protection? Do I have a piece that is hanging? Does my opponent have an under-protected piece?

3) Is my king safe? What about the opponent’s king? Can I take advantage of my opponent’s king by, for example, preventing him from castling?

4) Did my opponent’s last move prevent the threat posed by my previous move?

5) Do I still need to develop my pieces?

6) Can I bring my rooks to an open file or in general, make them useful? Can I double up rooks on an open file? Do I need to still open files for my rooks?

7) Does my opponent have any weaknesses? What are the targets I should considering attacking (undefended pieces, under-protected pieces or squares, open king, etc.)?

8) How can I attack the target(s)? Any other weaknesses that can be exploited? What’s the plan?

9) After looking away for a few seconds and revisiting the position with a completely clean, unbiased mindset, does the move I am about to make appear to be a mistake? Am I hanging a piece? Am I falling for a forced checkmate? Did I analyze all forcing moves (checks, captures, and threats)? Are my thoughts consistent with what I am calculating?

Taken from ChessUniversity.com, but is taught to students everywhere.