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Originally posted by SwissGambitHi SG.
This problem is kinda weak. Pg2 is not strictly necessary, and the solution is too simple.
Perhaps you're right, but on the other hand I think it's a clear depiction of the Dombrovskis theme: in one try threat X is defeated by x, and in another try threat Y is defeated by y, then in the post-key play, x leads to X and y leads to Y.
I'll see if I can find a tripling or quadrupling of this theme. Anyway, here's the full solution:
1 Be6? (threat Qe2)
1 ... Ke5 2 Qd5
but 1 ... Ke3!
1 Bb5? (threat Qe6)
but 1 ... Ke5!
1 Bg4! (waiting)
1 ... Ke3 2 Qe2
1 ... Ke5 2 Qe6
By the way, problems 6 and 7 in this forum show the Dombrovskis theme.
Originally posted by Linden LyonsI'm not a fan of "try" themes in general. It seems like the old idea of tries were based more on plausible ideas that didn't work on account of one only-move defense. The solver would run into those first, because they looked more obvious. Only then would the key be found, and so the tries would naturally be appreciated as adding interest to the problem.
Hi SG.
Perhaps you're right, but on the other hand I think it's a clear depiction of the Dombrovskis theme: in one try threat X is defeated by x, and in another try threat Y is defeated by y, then in the post-key play, x leads to X and y leads to Y.
I'll see if I can find a tripling or quadrupling of this theme. Anyway, here's the full solution:
...[text shortened]... 2
1 ... Ke5 2 Qe6
By the way, problems 6 and 7 in this forum show the Dombrovskis theme.
But now we have problems like this one. It's a simple miniature with an obvious key and symmetrical mates. I find the solution first, and never notice any of the tries. I can't be arsed to go back and look for failing moves after I've found the successful one. And I can't be arsed to make sure there is only one possible defense per try.
Especially when the 'reward' is a tic-tac-toe grid of letters in some sort of pattern. That's the real reason they are composed. It has nothing to do with interesting play on the board. It is all about getting little grids of letters.
1 edit
Originally posted by Linden Lyons1. Qf5 (zug) e4
Here's a quadrupling of the Dombrovskis theme. White mates black in two moves.
Demetrios Kapralos
Probleemblad
3rd prize, 148th Theme Tourney
[fen]3N4/1R6/2Pp4/B1kpp3/b7/Pp1PNp1Q/1p3P2/1K6 w[/fen]
#2
(1... d4 2. Bb4# )
(1... Bb5 2. Bb6# )
(1... Bxc6 2. Ne6# )
(1... Kd4 2. Ne6# )
2. Qxd5#