Daniel Naroditsky, a former chess prodigy who rose to become one of the most respected grandmasters in the United States, has died at the age of 29.
The Charlotte Chess Club in North Carolina, where Naroditsky both trained and coached, announced his passing on social media, describing him as “a gifted teacher, exceptional player, and a cherished member of our community.”
His cause of death has not been made public.
As a child, he claimed the World Under-12 Championship. Later as a teen, he published several well-regarded books on chess strategy.
Over the years, Naroditsky consistently maintained a spot among the world’s top 200 chess players.
He also became known for his skill in blitz chess – a rapid-fire version of the game where each player has only minutes to make their moves.
Most recently, in August, Naroditsky, affectionately known by fans as “Danya,” captured the U.S. National Blitz Championship title, further cementing his reputation as one of America’s brightest chess talents.
Naroditsky was also widely recognized for his livestreams, which helped bring chess to a broader and younger audience.
Through platforms like YouTube and Twitch, he attracted thousands of loyal viewers who tuned in regularly to watch his games and commentary.
Fellow U.S. grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura said Naroditsky had a genuine passion for streaming and education. He also said Naroditsky loved sharing his knowledge and making chess more accessible to everyone.
His final video, titled “You Thought I Was Gone?”, was posted to his YouTube channel last Friday.
In it, Naroditsky cheerfully told his fans he was “back and better than ever” after a short break from streaming. The video featured him playing live matches from his home studio while chatting with viewers about his moves.
Top chess players from around the world have shared their condolences on social media following Naroditsky’s passing.
Dutch grandmaster Benjamin Bok, who had known Naroditsky since the Under 12 World Championships in 2007, reflected on their long friendship in a post on X, writing that he “still can’t believe it and don’t want to believe it.”
Naroditsky was born and raised in San Mateo County, California.
The son of Jewish immigrants, he showed an exceptional memory and focus from an early age.
After finishing high school, he went on to study history at Stanford University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 2019.
Following graduation, Naroditsky moved to North Carolina, where he dedicated much of his time to coaching young chess players.
