Who really wins ...?
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2. cxd6ep is not a legal move because it doesn't get the king out of check. But it's not checkmate since white can play 2. Kxh4.
Sorry, the diagram was incorrect.
Now is correct. Not possible Kxh4.
Thanks ;-)
My original answer still holds. 2. cxd6ep is an illegal move becuase it does not get the white king out of check.
Can you get us the correct position? This seems to be a fascinating pile of strengths and vulnerabilities on both sides. The question is better from the original position (if correct), and before hitting the arrows, I was looking at
1Be2 d5+
2Kg2 h5
3Bf3 Be6 and I think black is better off.
I assume the diagram was correct by the time I saw it. A very unusual and interesting position for both sides. It appears, however, that Black's move to block the White bishop while putting White's king in check decides the answer to the question of 'Who wins?' Black has mated the White king while protecting his own. Black wins. Is there something else I have missed that puts this in doubt? Nice puzzle.
OK I got this sort of figured out. In as much as you said it was a Assiac puzzle and I believe he has a bit of a reputation (although I am no expert and have never owned his books), it seemed unlikely that he would make such an error. I Googled Assiac chess 1951 and got the following Variant Chesspage ie chess with strange, personal rules. This was a "double checkmate in 2"problem where the loser gets to ignore his being in mate and make one more move, mating the other player as well. Not to be confused with a double check causing mate. Here is the link:
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gpjnow/VC-GP.htm
Scroll about half way down to see the puzzle and it is indeed correct as above. My own personal opinion is that variant chess is for those who have way too much time on their hands, but I am sure most people who read this are saying the same about me.
Who wins, white or black...???