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We are sad to inform the chess community that our long time coworker Joe Yun passed away Friday April 30th. Joe was a great servant of chess, a National Tournament Director who was the Chief TD of hundreds of tournaments in Northeast Ohio and Columbus, including dozens of Ohio Championships. He was highly regarded nationally and was actively recruited by USCF and Continental Chess Association to work at their most important events. Joe was a long time board member of the Ohio Chess Association and was President of the Ohio Scholastic Chess Association. Joe was a great friend and mentor. His hard work, expertise, and dedication was instrumental in the growth of both Northeast Ohio chess and Progress with Chess and an inspiration to all of us. He will be sorely missed.

Joe gave of himself selflessly in many capacities, and never cared about getting attention for it. So it is not surprising that at his request there will be no funeral, only fond memories!

-Michael Joelson


The following is a sample of the many emails we received regarding Joe.  

“Terrible news….I met Joe almost 20 years ago at the West Hill Branch Library in the Highland Square area at an Akron Chess Club Saturday meetup. From that point on Joe helped me out whether it was recommending books, telling me about tournaments, or even when he drove me to a tournament with one of his good friends at the time Sam Shaheen. I can’t say enough all the great things about him, but I will always remember him and be grateful for what he did for me and the entire chess community. Rest in peace.”  

-Bobby Steen

“I’m so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe Yun. My condolences go out to his family.  I could mention (as many of you have) the things related to chess that I have experienced with Joe (which are plenty) but I rather tell you that, he always asked ‘how I was doing’. He would ask  ‘how are the kids’. He always had a joke for me and often I’d call him on the phone about one thing and before you know it we talked about a million other. He was a straight shooter when it came to his opinions and ideas. Joe will be missed as a good human being, as well as a valued member of the Progress With Chess family who cared about the chess community at large. Joe your gambit has paid off, you’ve sacrificed here for many years for something greater now. RIH Joe Yun!”  

-Kevin Taylor

“The Best Tournament Director!  Thank you Joe for all you did for our family (in the past 17 years,) Progress with Chess, Northeast Ohio and National chess communities!  We will miss you.” 
-The Keuchel Family

“I can’t begin to say how much Joe has helped me in becoming a tournament director. He was a mentor who taught me so much and was someone who I knew I could always rely on. It was great catching up with him at tournaments, and it was fun hearing all the stories he shared. He will be missed greatly, and I am so sad to hear this news.”  

-Kathy Lin

“Joe was a great man and a very funny one too. He has always seen potential in me and I will forever be grateful for that. We have had many memories with him and we will treasure it always. My condolences to Joe’s family and friends and may he rest peacefully in heaven.”

-The Orellana Family

“Joe was a selfless friend to the chess community. He always had funny jokes and stories about our adventures. He worked hard to keep tournaments fast, fair, and fun for everyone. I will miss him a lot.”  

-Oliver Koo

“I knew Joe for years as he directed CSCL events and ran the Akron Chess Club before becoming a nationally recognized tournament director. I loved visiting with Joe at events.  He was a wonderful, one-of-a-kind man.”  

-Dennis Helmuth

“Joe loved chess and deeply cared about people. Once, I brought my son to play in one of Joe’s tournaments and was chatting with others when Joe asked me to give a brief lesson to one of the players. He said the gentlemen lost all his games and Joe wanted for him not to feel bad.  This is Joe, in the midst of pairing, addressing players issues, etc., he was paying attention to the mood of each of the participants and sincerely cared about them. He was respected by all. Joe passing is a sudden loss to all who knew him and to the Ohio chess community at large.” 

-Alex Kitsis

“The great sorrow that we feel at Joe’s passing is undoubtedly empathized by all. He touched so many lives with his lively personality, and outgoing charisma. From the huge Giant Eagle blueberry muffins that he would altruistically give away, to the hilarious jokes that he would tell if you were lucky enough to find yourself in a casual chat with him, Mr. Yun will be deeply missed. Even though his flag has fallen, we here in The Rucker Family will favorably hold on to every “hearty high five” consolation prize that he would give, whenever I’d inquire what the prize money was for finishing a tournament in not far from last place. With great gratitude and respect, we cordially tip our King to the man who has united us all countless times over the decades. May he truly Rest in Peace.”  

-Damon Rucker