Georg Kieninger, Eiserner Schorsch

    In 1949 the most famous person in the country was probably Bob Hope, the English-born American comedian, actor, entertainer and producer whose career spanned nearly 80 years in vaudeville, radio, television and USO (a charitable organization in serving the active duty military) tours. Next to him was probably the comedian Milton Berle whose childish slapstick “comedy” was not so funny.

    The notable book that year was 1984 by George Orwell and a pound of bacon was 49 cents ($6.49 today). Life expectancy in the US was 65.2 for men and 70.7 for women. 

    Over in Germany in 1949, the occupying powers in both East and West Germany replaced their military governors with civilian leaders and the occupations ended officially in the mid-1950s. 

    Germany was divided into East and West and each side had its own distinct pop culture. In East Germany the government tried to limit the influence of Western entertainment on young people and the State Commission for the Arts tried to protect German cultural values from what was considered American decadence. In West Germany life was influenced by American culture, German design traditions and the political climate of the Cold War. 

    From June 19th to July 2nd there was an international tournament held in Oldenburg, a city in what was then West Germany, that was played at the at Astoria-Haus Renaissance Hotel. 

    Some of the players ultimately made their way to other countries. Sarapu ended up in New Zealand, while Zemgalis, Rossolimo and Tautviasis eventually found their way to the United States. 

    Zemgalis was awarded the Honorary GM title in 2003. He lived in Seattle, Washington. Tautviasis ended up in Chicago were he was a prominent force in mid-West chess. Rossolimo was a New York Cuty cab driver and owned a chess studio in Greenwich Village.

    Oldenburg was the best result ever for Elmars Zemgalis. Today's game is a snappy win by Georg Kieninger (June 5,1902 - January 25, 1975). He was born in Munich and passed away in – \Dusseldorf. He was awarded the IM title in 1950. 

 

    The cigar smoker, Kieninger was nicknamed "Eiserner Schorsch" (Iron Georgie) because of his fighting style. He won the German Championship in 1937, 1940 and 1947. The Kieninger Trap in the Budapest Gambit is embedded in the game score. Herbert Heinicke (1905-1988) was a German master and he was awarded the IM title in 1953. He was active mostly during the 1930s and for a while after WW II.

 

ChessBase

Georg Kieninger–Herbert Heinicke1–0B91OldenburgOldenburg GER29.06.1949Stockfish 15

] B80: Sicilian 1.e4 1.d4 f6 2.c4 e5 3.dxe5 g4 4.f4 c6 5.f3 b4+ 6.bd2 e7 7.a3 gxe5 8.axb4 d3# The Kieninget Trap. 1...c5 2.f3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.xd4 f6 5.c3 a6 6.g3 e6 7.g2 c7 8.0-0 d7 9.e1 c6 10.ce2 This move leaves theory. Normal is 10.Nxc6, but 10.Nb3 and 10.Be3 and 10.Bg5 have also been played. e7 11.c3 0-0 12.h3 ab8 13.e3 a5 14.b3 b5 15.c1 fd8 16.g4 e8 This move, clearing the way to play ...d5, requires excessive maneuvering and allows white to seize the initiative. 16...h6 was called for. 17.f4 d5 is equal. 17.g5 d7 18.g3 b6 19.g4 c6 19...d5 is out of the question because of 20.h5 d7 21.exd5 exd5 22.f4 d6 23.xd6 xd6 24.f5 b6 25.fxg7 and white is winning. 20.f4 d5 This was bad last move and it's bad this move. His nest try was 20...e5 though even then white has a promising attack. 21.h5 h8 22.h4 d7 23.xc6 xc6 24.xg7 Eiserner Schorsch finds the most elegant way of finishing the game. xg7 25.h6+ Even better than the menacing 25.Bd4 because it confines the K to the corner. Kieninger finishes the game with perfection. g8 26.d4 f6 27.gxf6 d6 28.g5+ f8 29.e5 a3 30.b1 f7 31.f5 d7 32.b4 The threat is Bc5+ c4 33.c5+ e8 34.f3 h6 35.xh6 Threatening mate with Qh8+. g8+ 36.h2 Black resigned 1–0

Download PGN