Burt Hochberg, 73, passed away Saturday, May 13, after a long illness. Burt was a distinguished and well-liked chess editor and journalist who seemed to know virtually everyone in the chess world. As editor of Chess Life, the official publication for Chess in America, from 1966-1979, he built the magazine into the information highway of its day for American chess players.

In the 70’s, he also served as acquisitions editor and managing editor of R.H.M. Press, an important publisher of theoretical works on chess openings by foreign and U.S. grandmasters when such material was sparse in the United States. More recently, he was a chess consultant and editor for the McKay Chess Library, a division of Random House.

For the better part of two decades, Burt was the editor of Games magazine, adding to his reputation as a dedicated and attentive professional.

As an established editor and friend to all in the chess world, he was always generous in offering a hand to junior editors trying to secure work. In addition to his journalistic and editorial activities, Burt authored several chess books.

Those who knew him will remember him also for his kindness and his enthusiasm for life, and for his passion for music. Although he was trained in classical piano, he loved to play Scott Joplin rags for his wife, Carol, and his friends. He will be deeply missed by friends, family, and an entire generation of chess enthusiasts.

Scott Knoke, a colleague of Burt, contributed this article.

Burt Hochberg- may you Rest In Peace.

On a U. S. Senior Open Chess Tournament cruise to Alaska, Burt and Carol were welcome companions. Burt shared a number of Bobby Fischer stories, telling of Bobby's compilation of the games of Boris Spassky in preparation for the World Chess Championship match in Reykjavik, Iceland in 1972. Bobby would ask Burt to turn to any page, cite a game, and Bobby would immediately relate not only the moves, but all the variations as well.
Burt's passing is a sad loss to the chess world. Our deepest condolences to Carol, his family, and many friends.-Dr. Joe Wagner

Burt was a friendly, courtly man who was charming and easy to talk to. He always had time to spend catching up with old friends. - Phyllis Benjamin

Burt was a good friend. I worked with and for him for many years and always found him to be extremely knowlegable in chess and other areas. He will be sorely missed. - Arthur Bisguier

Tributes to Burt offered by Hanon Russell from the ChessCafe website.