Mate in 3

Tries 1.Bg7? threat 2.Qd4 mate, refuted by 1...Bc3! and 1.Qe7? threat 2.Qc5 mate, refuted by 1...Rc3! The key 1.Kg4 threatens 2.Qg5+ K any 3.Qc5, after which the try refutations return as defences: 1...Bc3 2.Qe7 threat 3.Qc5; 2...Bd4 3.Qe6; 1...Rc3 2.Bg7 threat 3.Qd4; 2...Rc4 3.Qe5; 2...c5 3.Qe6. There is one by-play variation, which was already set 1...Kc4 2.Qe7 threat 3.Qc5. Another example of the Dresden theme, with a good defence replaced by a bad defence by a different piece. The Banny pattern also reappears. Nicely matched white doublings on parallel lines, with mutual obstruction in the defences.

Juha Neitola: Themes Banny and Dresden again. Black is left to defend with two consecutive moves of either the b3 rook or the d2 bishop, each move (as well as 2...c5 in the rook variation) having a self-obstructing disadvantage. How very appropriate that there should be a self-obstructing element in White’s position, too, precisely calling for a square vacating key move!