![](https://cdn.statically.io/img/static01.nyt.com/packages/flash/multimedia/ICONS/transparent.png)
Mr. Lombardy, left, at a news conference at the world championship in 1972, with Paul Marshall, center, a lawyer for Bobby Fischer, and Fred Cramer, Mr. Fischer’s representative.
Associated Press; thumbnail, United States Chess Federation
William Lombardy
Died on October 13, 2017 at age 79
One of the most talented and promising chess players of his generation, Mr. Lombardy won titles and accolades while he was still a teenager, but all but gave up the game at the height of his career to become a priest.
Notable Deaths 2017
Remembering Mary Tyler Moore, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lewis, David Rockefeller, Trisha Brown, Glen Campbell, Dick Gregory, Edith Windsor, Sam Shepard, Tom Petty and many others who died this year.