Friedrich Sämisch

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Friedrich (Fritz) Sämisch (September 20, 1896, Berlin–August 16, 1975, Berlin) was a German chess grandmaster. He was the champion of the first, although unofficial, Austrian Chess Championship in Vienna, Austria in 1921, and finished third at the Baden-Baden tournament 1925, after Alexander Alekhine and Akiba Rubinstein. In 1921, he also won a match against Richard Réti.

Sämisch is today remembered primarily for his contributions to opening theory. Two major opening lines are named after him: the Sämisch Variations of the King's Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3) and Nimzo-Indian (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.a3) Defenses. Perhaps his most famous game is his loss to Nimzowitsch in the Immortal Zugzwang Game.

Sämisch was famously indecisive, losing all thirteen of his games in a Swedish tournament on time control.