The miniature shows the Nowotny theme in its simplest form. It would be apparent that white can attempt mate on the move by Qd8 or Qg7. These attempts are foiled by black bishop and rook respectively. The key consists of blocking the paths of both these pieces resulting in dual threats.

Dual threats and their separation are common features in problems showing this theme as we will see soon.

The key, queen moving away from the king's field, sacrificing itself and leaving the knight on f7 en prise, is excellent. There are the typical dual threats and their separation in the first two thematic variations. The mating move also opens the line of the bishop providing protection to the knight on f7. A cross-check and capture of the knight add variations but not enough of variety in the mates.

This artistic composition avoids the brutal dual threats typical of Nowotny theme problems. The first two variations are thematic with added interest of self-block at g2. The next two variations also feature self-blocks on g4 and h4 permitting the mates.

This problem shows the 'Organ Pipe' arrangement we had seen in Sam Lloyd's problem in the last article. Both the g and h file pawns can move one or two steps resulting in four cases of blockage of paths of one rook and bishop pair. Each of the moves gives rise to dual threats. Three of these turn out to be tries and the fourth is the key.

The first two variations are usual Nowotny theme variations separating the threatened mates. The other two variations show Grimshaw interference and are an added attraction in this excellent problem. It is no wonder it won a first prize.