Walter Shawn Browne, an aggressive, animated chess grandmaster and six-time United States champion who dazzled spectators with his world-class ability at speed chess, died on Wednesday in Las Vegas, where he had been competing in the 50th National Open. He was 66.
He died in his sleep while resting at the home of a friend, according to an announcement on the Las Vegas International Chess Festival’s website. The cause was not yet known. He had tied for ninth in the event, which had concluded on Sunday, held at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.
At the board, Mr.