Bill Goichberg (1942-2026)

Update from chesstour.com on August 12, 2026:

Visitation Services will be held for William Goichberg from 5:00-8:00 pm on Tuesday August 18th at

Flynn Funeral & Cremation Memorial Centers, 139 Stage Road, Monroe, NY 10950  (845) 783-1811.

An additional service will also be held the following week at the cemetery in thePittsburgh, PA area, where he will be interred with his wife Brenda. Information on his burial will be made available here when those details have been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the New York State Chess Association William Goichberg Memorial Fund

(NYSCA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law).

Email: Click here to show email address for information on how to contribute.

The NYSCA mailing address is:  NY State Chess Association, Inc.

700 Columbus Avenue, Park West Station, PO Box 20040, New York, NY  10025.

FM William “Bill” Goichberg passed away Sunday Aug. 2, 2026, at age 83. 

Between the 1960s and the 2000s, Bill held every one of the highest roles in US Chess. He was rating statistician; he was co-editor of Chess Life; he was a member of what we now call the Executive Board three separate times; he was executive director; he was president.

Image

Image Caption

Bill Goichberg (L) and Harry Sabine (R) in an undated photo from the New York Open. (From the US Chess Archives)

Image

Image Caption

Goichberg in 1985 holding a beautiful inlaid chessboard gifted to him by Steve Doyle with an inscribed brass plate stating "to William Goichberg for Distinguished Service to Chess."

Of course, most of us know Bill’s work through his Continental Chess Association. Founded in the 1960s, it runs some of the biggest tournaments in the country — the World Open in Philadelphia, the Los Angeles Open, and massive tournaments and prize funds everywhere in between. 

It’s hard to even explain what the chess world would be like without all Bill Goichberg’s innovations: rated scholastic tournaments, the National Elementary, Junior High and High School Championships, the K-12 — he originated all of them. Back when it was much harder for a tournament to be eligible for FIDE ratings and norms, he was a leader in organizing tournaments just for that purpose, for the benefit of a whole generation of American chessplayers.

Image

According to a statement on the Continental Chess Association website, Continental Chess will continue to operate without interruption, in accordance with Bill’s wishes and as an enduring part of his legacy. The full text of the statement is included below:

"It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of William (Bill) Goichberg, founder of Continental Chess.

Details regarding memorial services will be shared once arrangements have been finalized.

As Bill’s health declined in recent years, he entrusted authority to the trustees of Continental Chess Incorporated. 

The trustees have overseen the business for several years and will continue to do so.

Continental Chess will continue to operate without interruption, in accordance with Bill’s wishes and as an enduring part of his legacy."

Bill Buklis
David Hater
Charles Hatherill
Steve Immitt
Bob Messenger