Mate in 2

Mate in 2.

Here, white has a mate ready for every possible black move:
1...Kc5 2.Bxe3#; 1...Ke5 2.d4#; 1...B~ 2.Bf6#. Unfortunately, white does not have a neutral "waiting move": every possible key move spoils at least one of the variations. So after the key move some black moves must be provided new mates. Or not so new...

Originally posted by David113
[fen]4N3/4R2p/4P2P/1P3bBR/p2kP3/PpNPp3/1P2B3/3QK3[/fen]

Mate in 2.

Here, white has a mate ready for every possible black move:
1...Kc5 2.Bxe3#; 1...Ke5 2.d4#; 1...B~ 2.Bf6#. Unfortunately, white does not have a neutral "waiting move": every possible key move spoils at least one of the variations. So after the key move some black moves must be provided new mates. Or not so new...

I'd go 1. e5. Can't see a refutation for that.

Wrong answer... 🙁

Originally posted by kbaumen
I'd go 1. e5. Can't see a refutation for that.

1.e5? Be4 and White can't cover c5, d4, and e5 with one check.

1.Nd5! (zugzwang)
1...Kc5 2.d4#
1...Ke5 2.Bf6#
1...B~ 2.Bxe3#

See? the same mates as in the set play, but cyclically shifted... 😀