-template<typename T1, typename T2> inline int distance(T2 x, T2 y);
-template<> inline int distance<File>(Square x, Square y) { return distance(file_of(x), file_of(y)); }
-template<> inline int distance<Rank>(Square x, Square y) { return distance(rank_of(x), rank_of(y)); }
+inline int edge_distance(File f) { return std::min(f, File(FILE_H - f)); }
+inline int edge_distance(Rank r) { return std::min(r, Rank(RANK_8 - r)); }
+
+
+/// safe_destination() returns the bitboard of target square for the given step
+/// from the given square. If the step is off the board, returns empty bitboard.
+
+inline Bitboard safe_destination(Square s, int step)
+{
+ Square to = Square(s + step);
+ return is_ok(to) && distance(s, to) <= 2 ? square_bb(to) : Bitboard(0);
+}