Walter Shawn Browne (10 January 1949 – 24 June 2015) was an Australian-born American chess Grandmaster and poker player, primarily known for his success in international chess. He won the U.S. Chess Championship six times. During the 1960s and 1970s, he was one of the world's strongest players and reached a peak world ranking of number 17.
Browne was born in Sydney, Australia, but moved to New York City when he was three and took up chess when he was a teenager. He represented Australia in the 1969 World Junior Chess Championship before switching national allegiances to the United States in 1970. He won his first U.S. Championship in 1974 and went on to win six championships in total, making him one of the most successful in the event’s history. He also played in the Interzonal tournament four times between 1976 and 1987.
In addition to his international victories, Browne was also successful in American tournaments. He won the U.S. Open Chess Championship seven times, the American Open five times, and the National Open twelve times. His intense, aggressive style of playing, often using experimental openings, combined with his ability to think quickly, made him a formidable opponent.
Browne's later career included participation in team events and seniors’ tournaments. His activities were not limited to playing, as he also worked as a chess organizer, promoter, and commentator, running his own chess tour from 1994 to 2000.
In addition to chess, Browne was also a successful poker player, winning more than $230,000 in poker tournaments. He died in his sleep at the age of 66 on June 24, 2015.