“I am looking at this like a chess match”
You are absolutely right about that. The decision not to show up and put on a defense were political and legal decisions. And they have nothing to do with whether the BC is fake or real.
As to the question of electors. Newt Gingrich will not be on the Primary Ballot in Virginia, that doesn’t mean he won’t be on the general election ballot in November (should he win the nomination, which is entirely possible).
Really? So if the BC is not real who would enter it into evidence risking fraud on the court? And If it was entered then other parties would have the opportunity to see the original, once and for all.