A tribute to Andy Sag (1937-2026)

The prominent Australian problemist Andy Sag has passed away on 29 Jun. 2026, at the age of 88. A stalwart of our chess problem community, he was a fine composer of directmates and series-movers, as well as a strong solver. His interest in compositions began relatively late in his forties, but his longevity in the field was remarkable. He last published a well-received original problem on this site just over a year ago, and his perceptive solver’s comments continued until very recently. A representative selection of Andy’s works, along with some biographical notes, can be found on his page in the Australian Problemists section.

Andy was a mechanical engineer who earned his degree at the University of Adelaide in South Australia. He is survived by his wife Janice, two sons and a daughter, and five grandchildren. Bob Meadley writes, “Andy was a terrific solver and one of the best in Australia. We had a good rivalry many years ago in the early 90s and he was the better solver. Also very friendly and nice hosts on my visit to them in Brisbane in 1994.” Andy’s funeral service was streamed online, and his family and friends’ speeches revealed many facets of a full life. He was a perfectionist in his scientific work, for instance, while also capable of picking up various musical instruments with ease. Thanks to Bob who further gathered the following information:

Andy was Jewish and converted to Anglican late in life. His son David stated that Andy was a renovator king and that the siblings had a good childhood. He was in an Engineering firm and was well paid. As a child, he escaped the Holocaust with his parents in 1939 by moving from Hungary to Australia. The father Nick was a mechanical engineer and his mother Lily was a maths teacher. He married on 5 Jan. 1963 – four children, one deceased in 2018. Lots of travelling. He liked jigsaw puzzles and chess (some mentions of chess problems). His favourite opponent was a friend Campbell and they played each week; Andy won the majority. He worked at Woomera and was a good inventor. A very sly sense of humour. Sixty-three years married to Jan. They went to Israel in 1963 and three times in the 2010s. He played table tennis and golf and was a good church volunteer.

Here is one of Andy’s best three-movers, a classy miniature. Solvers are likely to be tempted by tries such as 1.Ra4? (threat: 2.Qa6 ~ 3.Rc4) Kc5 2.Qxc7+ Kb5 3.Qc4, refuted by 1…b5!; 1.Qf8? Kb5!; 1.Qe8+? Kc5! The first-rate key 1.Qh8! withdraws the queen to the far corner, grants a flight on b7, and makes no threat. Four possible moves by Black compel different unique responses. 1…Kb5 2.Qd4 c5 3.Qa4, 2…c6 3.a4, 2…Kc6 3.Qd5. 1…Kc5 2.Qc3+ Kb5 3.a4. 1…Kb7 2.Kd7 (3.Qb8/Qc8) b5 3.Qb8. 1…b5 2.Ra6+ Kb7 3.Qa8, 2…Kc5 3.Qc3. No fewer than seven mating configurations appear, all occurring without duals. The 1…Kb5 line is a highlight; White plays another waiting move 2.Qd4 that generates three sub-variations, rather than 2.Qc3? (3.a4) which fails to 2…c5!