Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29 — Here’s What We Know
The chess world is mourning the sudden and unexpected death of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky at the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Center announced the tragic news on behalf of his grieving family, who requested privacy.
Naroditsky was celebrated as a talented player, commentator, and educator, as well as a loving son, brother, and loyal friend. The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.
A true prodigy, Naroditsky learned chess at six. His early success included winning the Under-12 World Youth Championship in 2007. He later earned the grandmaster title and achieved a peak FIDE rating of over 2600.
Beyond competing, he was a prominent voice in chess. At just 14, he authored the well-received instructional book “Mastering Positional Chess.” He was also a respected resident GM at the Charlotte Chess Center and a popular Twitch streamer.
The chess community expressed profound grief. Colleagues like Chess.com’s Danny Rensch and GM Olexandr Bortnyk shared heartfelt tributes, highlighting his inspirational role and their personal loss.
His final social media activity showed no signs of trouble. Just days before his death, he posted an upbeat YouTube video, and his last known message was a warm “Happy Birthday” to his friend Bortnyk.
Daniel Naroditsky leaves behind a powerful legacy. He inspired a generation of players through his world-class skill, educational content, and generous spirit, and will be deeply missed.
