Byrne played competitively until age 74 in 2002, with an average of a couple of significant events per year even past age 60. He retired from writing his chess column at age 78. Byrne died in 2013 at his home in Ossining, New York, from Parkinson's disease. Notable games David Bronstein vs Robert Byrne, Helsinki Olympiad 1952, Queen's Gambit Accepted (D24), 0–1 Very impressive win over the 1951 World finalist. Robert Byrne vs Miroslav Filip, Mar del Plata 1961, King's Indian Defense, Fianchetto Variation (E60), 1–0 Byrne defeats a player who became a Candidate the next year. Miguel Najdorf vs Robert Byrne, Buenos Aires 1964, King's Indian Defense, Classical / Petrosian Variation (E93), 0–1 A key victory from the tournament where Byrne earned his GM title. Bobby Fischer vs Robert Byrne, U.S. Championship, New York 1965–66, French Defense, Tarrasch / Guimard Variation (C03), 0–1 Byrne finds a very clever tactical possibility to bring down the phenomenal Fischer. Robert Byrne vs Leonid Stein, Sarajevo 1967, Sicilian Defense, Accelerated Dragon Variation (B35), 1–0 Byrne defeats the Soviet champion Stein in one of his favourite variations. Vladimir Savon vs Robert Byrne, Moscow 1971, King's Indian Attack (A07), 0–1 Another Soviet champion has to tilt his King right in Moscow. Samuel Reshevsky vs Robert Byrne, U.S. Championship Playoff, Chicago 1973, King's Indian Defense, Classical Variation (E92), 0–1 A critical win which helped propel Byrne to the Interzonal later that year. Reshevsky had a clear win before he blundered to allow a winning queen sacrifice. Bent Larsen vs Robert Byrne, Leningrad Interzonal 1973, King's Indian Defense, Saemisch Variation (E80), 0–1 Byrne upsets one of the tournament favourites by undermining Larsen's overextended centre. Robert Byrne vs Mark Taimanov, Leningrad Interzonal 1973, Sicilian Defense, Taimanov Variation (B46), 1–0 Byrne overcomes Taimanov's patented defense. Jan Timman vs Robert Byrne, Nice Olympiad 1974, Queen's Gambit Declined (D53), 0–1 One of the strongest young Grandmasters learns to respect the veteran Byrne. Robert Byrne vs Viktor Korchnoi, Moscow 1975, Pirc Defense, Austrian Attack (B09), 1–0 Korchnoi's form during this period took him to two world championship challenges in the years ahead. Robert Byrne vs Vasily Smyslov, Biel Interzonal 1976, French Defense, Winawer / Positional Variation (C19), 1–0 Byrne succeeds with a line which Smyslov himself had made famous in the 1940s. Robert Byrne vs Joel Benjamin, U.S. Championship, Berkeley 1984, Sicilian Defense, Classical Richter–Rauzer Variation (B60), 1–0 Benjamin neglects his development