Waldemar Tura
One of the most popular “paradox” themes in directmate two-movers is
shown here in selfmate form, so look out for two thematic tries.
1.e5? threatens 2.Qd5+ Kxd5, with the variation 1...Rxg6 2.b3+ Kc3, but 1...Sf6! refutes. Similarly
1.exf4? threatens 2.Qd4+ Kxd4 again with 1...Rxg6 2.b3+ Kc3, but 1...Se6! refutes. The key, 1.g7! pins
the queen and threatens 2.b3+ Kc3, giving the variations 1...Sf6 2.Qd5+ Sxd5 and
1...Se6 2.Qd4+ Sxd4. This idea, where defences which refute try threats are followed post-key by the
moves they originally defeated is called the Dombrovskis theme, after Latvian composer Alfred Dombrovskis,
who published the first example in 1958. The paradoxical effect is greatly diluted in a selfmate, because
the extra black move allows for a change of motivation in the white move. Here the queen’s motive changes
from opening the diagonal to opening the rank. Still, a very clear scheme.
Richard Stein: The key resurrects the threats against what were
effective defenses, a theme shown here with great subtlety.