Franz Schrüfer

Franz Schrüfer (born March 17, 1823, in Oberailsfeld; died August 6, 1909, in Bamberg) was a chess composer of the Old German School.

Schrüfer received musical training at institutions including the Royal Conservatory in Munich. He composed several musical pieces. Until January 1, 1899, he worked as a choir director at St. Martin’s in Bamberg.

It was not until he was 45 years old that Schrüfer began to take a serious interest in chess. From 1870 to 1895, he served as president of the Bamberg Chess Club, founded in 1868, and became a member of its honorary board after stepping down from his position. Starting in 1870, he was active as a chess problem composer, and from 1876 onward, he drew attention to himself through tournament successes. By the mid-1880s, he was regarded as one of the most important chess composers of his time. He is considered a leading representative of the Old German school of chess composition.

Schrüfer was an honorary member of the Munich Chess Club and, beginning June 7, 1903, of the German Chess Federation.

In 1904, Schrüfer was injured in an accident, after which he was no longer able to leave his apartment.