The chess world is mourning the sudden loss of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, a rising star whose influence reached far beyond tournaments and livestreams, touching fans, students, and fellow players worldwide.
Daniel Naroditsky, a renowned chess grandmaster, commentator, and educator, passed away at the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Center announced his death in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on behalf of the Naroditsky family.
“It is with deep sorrow that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the statement read. The family described Daniel as “a gifted chess player, commentator, and educator, and a beloved member of the chess community, admired and respected by fans and players across the globe.”
“He was also a devoted son and brother, and a loyal friend to many,” they added. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Before closing the statement, the family requested privacy during this difficult time. “Let us remember Daniel for his passion and love of chess, and for the joy and inspiration he brought to all of us every day,” they concluded.
Daniel Naroditsky: A Chess Prodigy
Naroditsky was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He learned chess at the age of six from his father and brother and quickly developed a deep love for the game.
One of the highlights of his early career came in 2007 when he won the gold medal at the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in Antalya, Turkey. He earned the title of International Master in 2011 and secured his final grandmaster norm at the 2013 Benasque Open in Spain.
Naroditsky surpassed the 2500 FIDE rating threshold, officially becoming a grandmaster. A year later, he crossed the 2600 rating mark. His current FIDE rating stands at 2621.
After graduating from Stanford University in 2019, Naroditsky relocated to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he served as the resident grandmaster at the Charlotte Chess Center and built a career as a full-time chess coach and Twitch streamer.
A Voice for Chess
Naroditsky became widely recognized for his insightful commentary, deep understanding of positional play, and educational content. At just 14 years old, in 2010, he published Mastering Positional Chess, a well-received instructional book praised for its clarity and practical lessons.
In 2014, he was honored with the Frank P. Samford, Jr. Chess Fellowship, the most prestigious chess fellowship in the United States. The Samford Fellowship supports top young American players with financial aid, elite coaching, and training resources.
Tributes from the Chess Community
Danny Rensch, Chief Chess Officer of Chess.com, paid tribute to Naroditsky, recalling their close collaboration during major events.
“Danya was more than just an amazing and inspirational face of our game—he was a friend and brother,” Rensch wrote. “It’s impossible to find words to describe this kind of loss.”
Grandmaster Olexandr Bortnyk, a close friend of Naroditsky, expressed his grief on X, writing, “RIP my great friend Daniel Naroditsky, I still can’t believe it.”
YouTuber and chess influencer GothamChess also shared a tribute, saying, “I’ve been sitting here numb for the past hour staring at this news. The world lost a brilliant man today. May his memory live on forever and may we always cherish his contributions to our beautiful game.”
Naroditsky’s final social media update came just days before his passing, on October 18, 2025. In a YouTube video titled “You Thought I Was Gone!? Speedrun Returns! | English, French | GM Naroditsky’s DIY Speedrun,” he appeared upbeat and ready to resume content creation. Early in the video, Naroditsky explained he had taken a “creative break” but was now back and “better than ever.”
His last post on X, dated September 30, 2025, referenced his chess rating and included a lighthearted joke responding to a comment from Olexandr Bortnyk.
“Documenting this achievement with another case; not every day does the International Chess Federation solve the mystery of time travel! Now, if they’d be so kind as to help me get to 1858, so I can experience Paul Morphy’s genius firsthand :),” he wrote.
His final known words were sent around 2 a.m. to Bortnyk, saying, “Happy Birthday, Sasha.”
Bortnyk reflected on their last exchange. Despite his grief, he found comfort knowing his final message to his friend was full of love. “Danya, don’t worry about anything. I love you so much,” he told him.
Daniel Naroditsky leaves behind a powerful legacy as a world-class player, teacher, and ambassador for chess. From his beginnings as a prodigy to his work as a coach and content creator, he inspired a generation of players. His passion for chess and generous spirit will be remembered by all who knew him.