Maddening little problem

Originally posted by alexdino
well if you take out Nb7 than its ok: 1.a8-c6 1.b6-b7;2.c8-d7 2.c7-c8(bishop) 3.d7-c7 3.b7-b8(Queen) =mate
But i can't wait to see it done with Nb7

3. b8=Q+, and King can go to d8... it's not mate

for (b) without Nb7 a solution is:

1 ... Bd5 2 Kb5 Be6 3 Kc6 Bf7 4 b7#

bishop moves are arbitrary

1 ... Bd5 2 Kb5 Be6 3 Kc6 Bf7 4 b7#

Unfortunately, the white king starts on a7, so it can't get to b5 on its first move.

oh oops...

So far, Jirakon and heinzkat have PM'ed the correct solutions.

b) is the first move bishop d5?

Solution:
a) 1.Nd8 cd8N 2.Bc6 Ne6 3.Bd7 b7#
b) 1.Bd5 b7+ 2.Kd7 b8Q 3.Kc6 c8Q#

Composer is Robert Bales Jr.