Karol Mlynka

1.Sd5? th. 2.Sc3#
1...Rf3 (Barulin defence - A) 2.gxf3#
1...exd4 (direct covering of mate - B) 2.Qxd4#
1...Sd3 (indirect covering of mate - C) 2.cxd3#
1...Sc4!

1.Sh5! th. 2.Sg3#
1...Rf3 (direct covering of mate - B) 2.gxf3#
1...exd4 (indirect covering of mate - C) 2.Qxd4#
1...Sd3 (Barulin defence - A) 2.cxd3#

Very nice example of basic form of Mlynka theme. Its point lies not in the changes of mates, but in the change of defence motives. Some people don't like this direction of chess composition, but some like it a lot.

1.Kc2? th. 2.e3#
1...Rxf2 (pinning - A) 2.Qxf2#
1...Qc5+ (checking - B) 2.Bxc5#
1...Rh3!

1.Sg3? th. 2.Sf5#
1...Qb6+ (checking - B) 2.Qxb6#
1...Rxf2 (direct covering of mate - C) 2.Qxf2#
1...Be4!

1.Sb4! th. 2.Sc2#
1...Qc5 (direct covering of mate - C) 2.Bxc5#
1...Qb6 (pinning - A) 2.Qxb6#

Carousel change of defences and respective defence motives.

1.Kb2? th. 2.d3#
1...Sxb5 (destroying mating net by capture - A) 2.Qxb5#
1...Bxd4+ (checking - B) 2.Qxd4#
1...Bf5 (direct covering of mate - C) 2.Qd5#
1...exd2 (capture of mating unit - D) 2.Sxd2#
1...Sc5!

1.Sf5! th. 2.Sxe3#
1...Sxb5+ (checking - B) 2.Qxb5#
1...Bxd4 (direct covering of mate - C) 2.Qxd4#
1...Bxf5 (capture of mating unit - D) 2.Qd5#
1...exd2 (destroying mating net by capture - A) 2.Sxd2#

Cyclic change of defence motives (Mlynka theme) with 4 variations.

1.Kd6? th. 2.c6 ~ 3.c7#
1...Rxa4 (preparation of pin - A) 2.Qxa4 ~ 3.Qa5#
1...Bxg7 (preparation of checking - B) 2.h8Q+ Bxh8 3.Rxh8#
1...Bxf5 (preparation of destroying mating net by capture - C) 2.Se6+ fxe6 3.Rg8#
1...Re2!

1.Kb7! th. 2.c6 ~ 3.c7#
1...Rxa4 (preparation of checking - B) 2.Qxa4 ~ 3.Qa5#
1...Bxg7 (preparation of destroying mating net by capture - C) 2.h8Q+ Bxh8 3.Rxh8#
1...Bxf5 (preparation of pin - A) 2.Se6+ fxe6 3.Rg8#

Cyclic change of preparing defence motives in 3 variations in threemover and in active form - against the same threat, also called active Mlynka theme. Very impressive threemover.

1.Sf1? th. 2.Sg3#, 1...h4!
1.Bc5? h4! 2.d4 Kg1 3.d5+ Kh1!
1.Bf2! h4 2.Bxh4! Kg1 3.Be1 Kh1 4.Bb4 Kg1 5.Bc5+ Kh1 6.d4 Kg1 7.d5+ Kh1 8.Sf1 exd5 9.Sg3#

Experts say it is peri-critical manoeuvre by white bishop. Despite some simplicity not trivial moremover.

(Btw, I am looking for someone who would explain this new-german terminology for CCM readers.)

1...h1Q 2.Qxf4+ Sxf4#

1.Qh8? Rf7!
1.Qa1? Sb2!
1.Qg7? Qb7!

1.Qc3! th. 2.Rxf4+ Sxf4#
1...h1Q 2.Sxe3+ Sxe3#
1...c1Q 2.Qe5+ dxe5#
1...Rf7 2.Sg7+ Rxg7#
1...Sb2 2.Qe5+ dxe5#

The main point lies in the identity of defence motives and black errors in black defences.. Very unusual and inspiring selfmate.

1.Rb2+? axb3#, 1...Ka1!
1.Sf3! f4 2.Rd4! f5 3.Bd1 f6 4.Se1 f3 5.Sc2 f4 6.Rd2 f5 7.Rb2+ axb2#

Cyclic exchange of places of 3 white pieces in logical form. Especially device on 2nd rank is very well used for precising the order of moves.

See also new version from 2006 saving two pawns.

1.Bc2 Bxd3(pd7)+! 2.Sxd3(Bf1) Be2#

1.Sg6 Be2+! 2.dxe2(Bf1) Bxg2#

1.Qc1 Bxg2+! 2.Sxg2(Bf1) Bxd3(pd7)#

Cycle of white moves with real Circe motivation. Both sides fight for safe check after which black cannot capture white bishop. Motivation precising some moves is not trivial.

1.Rb2+? axb3#, 1...Ka1!
1.Sf3! f4 2.Rd4! f5 3.Bd1 f6 4.Se1 f3 5.Sc2 f4 6.Rd2 f5 7.Rb2+ axb2#

Pawns on b-file are indeed not necessary for soundness.