Abstract: | We show that the complex discrete BKP equation that has been recently identified as an integrable discretization of the 2+1-dimensional sine-Gordon system introduced by Konopelchenko and Rogers admits a natural reduction to a discrete 2+1-dimensional sine-Gordon equation. We discuss three important properties of this equation. First, it may be interpreted as a superposition principle associated with a constrained Moutard transformation. Second, the complexified discrete sine-Gordon equation constitutes an eigenfunction equation for the discrete sine-Gordon system. Third, we derive a form of the equation in terms of trigonometric functions that has been studied by Konopelchenko and Schief in a discrete geometric context. A discrete Moutard transformation for the discrete sine-Gordon equation and the corresponding Bäcklund equations are also recorded. |