William F. Ryan (1907–1954), nicknamed the Bronx Comet, was an American checkers player who won national titles in 1939 and 1946.USA Checkers He considered Sam Gonotsky a mentor and friend.Wylie Draughts Ryan was renowned as the champion of "blindfold checkers" and authored several books on the game. He also worked on a draughts magazine and once played against musician Benny Goodman. In 1954, he died due to a cerebral hemorrhage.Checker World Profile
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