US International Master (1962) , Bachelor’s Degree from Yale and M.A. from the University of Michigan. He taught English at Indiana’s Valparaiso University, moving to Penn State in 1961, with the expectation that he would teach English and coach the university’s chess team.
One of the strongest U.S. players through the 50s and 60s, he won US Open in 1953.
A participant with the US team in the historical matches against the Soviet Union in 1954 and 1955 with a score of 3-1 against Yury Averbach.
Donald Byrne died from lupus. In 2002 the USCF awarded his wife, Madge the Honorary Chess Mates Award for her “contributions and unselfish support on behalf of chess.” In recognition of his significant contributions to American chess, Donald Byrne was inducted into the US Chess Hall of Fame in 2003.
US International Master (1962) , Bachelor’s Degree from Yale and M.A. from the University of Michigan. He taught English at Indiana’s Valparaiso University, moving to Penn State in 1961, with the expectation that he would teach English and coach the university’s chess team.