American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has died unexpectedly at the age of 29, his family announced on Monday in a statement shared by the Charlotte Chess Center.
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the family said. “Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community.”
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No cause of death was provided.
Rising Star and Beloved Teacher
Born in California in 1995, Naroditsky was one of the most prominent faces of U.S. chess. A former world youth champion, he earned the title of grandmaster in 2013.
In addition to his achievements over the board, Naroditsky was celebrated for his insightful commentary, writing and educational work. He became a popular online presence, streaming regularly on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube, where he shared lessons and analysis with hundreds of thousands of fans.
He also finished ninth in the World Blitz Championship last year, demonstrating his continued strength as a competitive player.
Tributes From Across the Chess World
Messages of grief and admiration flooded social media following news of his death. Fellow American grandmaster and world number two Hikaru Nakamura said, “I’m devastated. This is a massive loss for the world of chess.”
Many fans and colleagues praised Naroditsky’s warmth, clarity as a teacher, and his ability to make chess accessible to a broad audience.
Naroditsky’s passing leaves a profound void in the international chess community, where he was respected not only for his talent but for his generosity and love of the game.
