American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, celebrated for his brilliant play, teaching, and large online following, has passed away at the age of 29.
The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky served as head coach, announced his death in a statement shared on social media. While the cause of death was not disclosed, the statement described his passing as unexpected and deeply painful for the global chess community.
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the statement read. “Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community. He was also a loving son, brother, and loyal friend to many.”
Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Naroditsky began learning chess at just six years old. His natural gift for the game quickly became apparent — by his teenage years, he had already earned the title of Grandmaster, the highest honor awarded by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
His early career was marked by impressive achievements. He won multiple national titles, and in fifth grade became the youngest player ever to win the California K–12 Championship. Later that same year, in 2007, he gained international recognition by winning the World Youth Chess Championship (Under-12 category), solidifying his reputation as one of America’s brightest young talents.
After taking a year to focus exclusively on chess, Naroditsky enrolled at Stanford University, where he graduated in 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in history.
Beyond his own competitive success, Naroditsky had a deep passion for teaching and sharing the beauty of chess. He authored two instructional books, the first published when he was just 14 years old. His insightful writing also made him a respected voice in the chess world — contributing to Chess Life magazine and later serving as a chess columnist for The New York Times beginning in 2022.
In addition to his achievements on the board, Naroditsky became a beloved online figure. With nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers and over 340,000 followers on Twitch, he introduced chess to a new generation of fans through livestreams and tutorials. His friendly approach and calm commentary helped demystify the complexities of the game, turning what could be intimidating strategy into engaging storytelling.
His Twitch profile summed up his philosophy perfectly:
“Hop into my stream for great chess, good tunes, and an amazing community!!”
Tributes have poured in from across the chess world. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) praised Naroditsky as “a talented chess player, commentator, and educator whose contributions inspired players worldwide.”
The ongoing 2025 U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis began with a moment of silence in his honor, and the Saint Louis Chess Club described him as “a beloved pillar of the chess community whose passion and teaching inspired countless players around the world.”
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