Alekhine’s Defense: Sämisch Attack
Alekhine’s Defense – Sämisch Attack
Definition & Move-order
The Sämisch Attack is a specific variation of Alekhine’s Defense that arises after the moves
- e4 Nf6
- e5 Nd5
- d4 d6
- Nf3 Bg4
- Be2
Strategic Ideas
- Neutralising the Pin – By playing 5.Be2 White immediately voids Black’s pin on the knight and keeps the central structure flexible for either c2-c4 or h2-h3 followed by c2-c4.
- Rapid Castling & Development – White usually castles kingside on move six, connecting rooks and preparing breaks such as c2-c4, h2-h3, or sometimes d4-d5.
- Centre vs. Piece Activity – Alekhine’s Defense invites White to grab space; Black relies on undermining that centre later with …c5, …dxe5 or …f6. In the Sämisch Attack the centre remains solid and Black’s dark-squared bishop can become slightly misplaced if White later plays h3.
- Pawn Breaks – Typical operations include:
- White: c2-c4 followed by Nc3 and d4-d5 (space gain), or c2-c4 d4-d5 to cramp the black knight on b6.
- Black: …dxe5 to open the centre, …c5 to hit d4, and …f6 to challenge e5.
Historical Significance
The variation is named after the German master Friedrich Sämisch, who employed the idea against Alexander Alekhine himself. Their first notable encounter was at Carlsbad 1923 (Sämisch – Alekhine), where White’s straightforward 5.Be2 led to a positional squeeze and ultimately to Sämisch’s victory. Although Alekhine later refined Black’s play, the line remained respectable and still appears in modern practice.
Typical Continuations
A popular main line runs:
1. e4 Nf6 2. e5 Nd5 3. d4 d6 4. Nf3 Bg4 5. Be2 e6 6. 0-0 Be7 7. c4 Nb6 8. exd6 cxd6 9. Nc3 0-0
Both sides have completed development. White will press in the centre with b2-b3 & Bb2 or d4-d5, while Black eyes breaks with …d5 or …e5.
Illustrative Game
[[Pgn| Samisch,F – Alekhine,A (Carlsbad 1923) 1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 Bg4 5.Be2 e6 6.0-0 Be7 7.c4 Nb6 8.exd6 cxd6 9.h3 Bh5 10.Nc3 0-0 11.Be3 d5 12.c5 Nc4 13.Bxc4 dxc4 14.Qe2 Nc6 15.Rfd1 Nb4 16.Qxc4 Bxf3 17.gxf3 Nd5 18.Nxd5 exd5 19.Qb3 Qd7 20.Kg2 1-0 |fen|rn1qk2r/pp3pbp/3p1np1/2PpP2b/3P4/2N1BB2/PP3PPK/R2QR3 b kq - 3 14]]Alekhine never fully equalised; the early Be2 allowed White to castle, overprotect e5 and later open lines on his own terms.
Usage in Modern Chess
The Sämisch Attack is still a practical weapon, especially for players who prefer solid central control over the sharper Four Pawns Attack. Grandmasters such as Michael Adams and Peter Svidler have used it sporadically to avoid the massive theory of 4…dxe5 systems.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- A Defensive Name in an Attacking Line – Ironically, the “Attack” is one of the quietest ways to meet Alekhine’s Defense; the word “Attack” comes from Sämisch’s success, not from a sacrificial style.
- Birth from a Blunder? – Legend says Alekhine believed 5.Be2?! was passive, only to be outplayed in Carlsbad 1923. His post-game notes admitted the line was “more venomous than I thought.”
- Transpositional Potential – After 5.Be2 e6 6.0-0 dxe5 7.Nxe5, the game can drift into French-like pawn structures, giving French Defence players an easy repertoire crossover.
- Computer Verdict – Modern engines rate the position after 5.Be2 as roughly equal (≈0.00 to +0.20 for White), confirming its soundness at every level.
Summary
The Sämisch Attack in Alekhine’s Defense is a strategically rich, theory-light system in which White calmly unpins, castles early, and maintains a strong centre. It stands as a tribute to Friedrich Sämisch’s practical ingenuity and remains a solid alternative for players seeking clear plans without diving into the most critical Alekhine main lines.