Robert Byrne

About

Former U.S. Chess Champion and contender for the World Championship before his death in 2013. He was also the chess columnist from 1972 to 2006 for the New York Times.

Before Fame

He was a part of the Collins Kids, a group of children that received chess instruction from the legendary John W. Collins and was a graduate of Yale University.

Trivia

He represented the US nine times in Chess Olympiads, winning seven medals.

Family Life

His brother Donald was also a notable chess champion.

Associated With

He was a rival of Soviet chess legend Boris Spassky.