This week’s theme (and next week’s) is sibling rivalry. Friday would have been Donald Byrne‘s 90th birthday. His brother Robert enjoyed greater success, becoming a grandmaster while Donald only earned the international master title, but Robert was far more active even before giving up his academic career to become a chess professional. Donald spent his entire career in academia, teaching English at Penn State. It’s arguable that Donald was the greater talent of the two. For example, in the 1954 match between the USA and the Soviet Union, Donald beat Yuri Averbakh 3-1 on board four (Robert beat Alexander Kotov 3-1 on board six–the Soviets won the match 18-14). They are undoubtedly the strongest pair of brothers ever. Anyway, here is an early game between them.

Views: 36