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BDS & Steve Giddins

The Problemist Supplement, 2015

H#2
AntiCirce: Cheylan
(b) bKa3 <-> bPb3
PAO e7:
VAO f1:
NAO g4

a) 1.Rxh5[bRh5->a8] NAa7 2.Rxa7[bRa7->h8] PAa7#
b) 1.Sxg3[bSg3->b8] NAc6 2.Sxc6[bSc6->g8] PAb7#

In the diagram position, if it were White to play, 1...PAa7 is check, but not mate as Black can stop the check by occupying the PAOs rebirth square, which is a8. This black can do by 1...Rxh5 after which the bR is reborn on a8. The black rook has no other moves but that capture, so to eliminate it, he must play it. After this White has to present Black with a capture on a black square that bRa8 can make from its new location. Hence 1...NAa7, after which 2.Rxa7 leaves the bR on h8 and White can safely mate. (b) shows the same idea, but this time with the bSh1 and 1...PAb7#. This was an idea from Steve at one of our weekend gatherings that I was able to set some days later after my return home.