Chess Community Mourns the Loss of Talented Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky

Wed Oct 22 2025 00:59:08 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Daniel Naroditsky, a rising star in the chess world and beloved educator, has passed away at the age of 29, leaving a lasting legacy in the sport.

Daniel Naroditsky, an influential chess grandmaster and educator, died unexpectedly at 29. Known for his dynamic streaming and teaching, Naroditsky made significant contributions to popularizing chess online. His achievements included winning the U.S. National Blitz Championship and mentoring young players at the Charlotte Chess Center. Tributes flood in from fellow grandmasters, marking the profound impact he had on the chess community.

Daniel Naroditsky, a chess grandmaster who started as a child prodigy and quickly became one of the most influential American voices in the sport, died Monday at the age of 29.

The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky trained and worked as a coach, announced his death on social media, calling him 'a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community.'

In a heartfelt statement shared by the center, his family expressed, 'Let us remember Daniel for his passion and love for the game of chess, and for the joy and inspiration he brought to us all every day.' The cause of his death is currently unknown.

Naroditsky achieved the title of grandmaster, the highest title in chess aside from World Chess Champion, at just 18 years old. Earlier in his life, he won the Under 12 World Championship and authored several chess strategy books while navigating the competitive circuit.

Throughout his career, he consistently ranked among the top 200 players worldwide in traditional chess, and excelled in blitz chess, maintaining a top 25 ranking. Naroditsky most recently won the U.S. National Blitz Championship in August.

Fellow grandmasters praised Naroditsky for broadening the sport's reach by livestreaming his matches on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, which attracted thousands of viewers.

American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura noted on a livestream, 'He loved streaming, and he loved trying to be educational. The chess world is very grateful.'

In a video he shared on his YouTube channel just days before his passing, titled “You Thought I Was Gone!?” Naroditsky confidently stated he was 'back, better than ever,' showcasing his passion for the game from his cozy home studio.

Fellow elite players expressed their heartbreak over his sudden passing. Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok, who shared a lifelong friendship with Naroditsky, wrote on social media, 'I still can’t believe it and don’t want to believe it.'

Naroditsky was the son of Jewish immigrants from Ukraine and Azerbaijan and grew up in San Mateo County, California. Known for his serious demeanor and remarkable memory, he graduated with a history degree from Stanford University in 2019 after dedicating a year to chess tournaments. Following college, he relocated to Charlotte, where he coached aspiring young chess players.

This coverage has been updated to clarify that it was the Charlotte Chess Center that announced his passing, rather than the Charlotte Chess Club.