Helpmate Number 8
Black to play and helpmate in 2 moves.
Previously unpublished.
The bishops on b2 and g7 that are coloured orange are new pieces called "Reflectors" with the following properties:
1. They move diagonally by reflecting off a square at the edge of the board. This reflection is only done in a symmetrical manner namely an equal number of squares to the edge of the board as off it. For example reflector at b2 to d2 via c1.
2. They check (also a reflection) at the final square only of a possible move namely at a square of possible occupation. Checking occurs simultaneously in all possible directions of movement. Thus if the black king was at d2 then it would be in check from the reflector at b2 (which could have moved from b4 to give check).
3. Using the above properties a reflector on a long diagonal can:
(a) run on the spot by reflecting into a corner and back to its original square as a move.
(b) guard its square of occupation by a similar maneuver (note that at the same time it can check on other squares ). Thus the reflector on b2 is immune from capture as moving to b2 would put the black king into check.
4. Reflections can only take place on empty diagonals.