Chess HOF-er: Friedrich Saemisch

Friedrich (Fritz) Saemisch was born on the 20th of September 1896 in Berlin, Germany. Awarded the GM title in 1950 he was the (unofficial) Austrian Champion in 1921, their first championship. His most notable match win also in 1921 was against Richard Reti (+4, =3, -1) and in his best tournament he finished 3rd at Baden-Baden 1925 after Alexander Alekhine and Akiba Rubinstein.  Other fine performances:  He came in second to Nimzowitsch at Copenhagen, 1923 with 4.5 of 6, besting Tartakower and Spielmann.  He won at Dortmund, 1928 ahead of Bogoljubow, Reti, Colle and Spielmann.  He won at Brno, 1928 over Reti, Kmoch, Opocensky, Marshall and Steiner.  He was the champion at Swinemuende, 1930 against Flohr, Richter and Stahlberg.  He was first in Berlin, 1937 over Bogoljubow, Reinhardt and Richter.  Saemisch was first in Trencianske Teplice, 1941 with Foltys, Opocensky and Ahues.

In later years he became a notorious time trouble addict and at one tournament in Linkoping, Sweden 1969 he lost all 13 games he played on time. On the other hand, he could play fast chess well winning two lightning tournaments at the age of 61.  He passed away in Berlin in 1975.

A profound opening theoretician, two major opening variations are named after him, which are still played today at the highest levels: Nimzo-Indian, Samisch (E24) - 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3 and King's Indian, Samisch Variation (E80) - 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3.

Here are some puzzles from his games: