Daniel Naroditsky dies at 29: Fans mourn the demise of US chess grandmaster

The chess world has lost one of its brightest minds and kindest spirits. Daniel Naroditsky, the American grandmaster celebrated for blending high-level mastery with online charisma, has died at the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky served as head coach, announced the news Monday, describing him as “a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community.” His family shared that he should be remembered “for his passion and love for the game.” No cause of death has been disclosed.

To millions of fans, Naroditsky—known affectionately as “Danya”—was far more than a competitor. He was the voice that made chess approachable, a teacher who could make even the most complex positions feel intuitive. His calm humor, deep insight, and generosity made his YouTube and Twitch channels a haven for both new learners and lifelong players. “He loved streaming, and he loved trying to be educational,” said fellow grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura. “The chess world is very grateful.”

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Born on November 9, 1995, in San Mateo, California, Naroditsky was the son of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union—his father, Vladimir, a Ukrainian mathematician, and his mother, Lena, a pianist from Azerbaijan. He first learned chess from his older brother, Alan. “It wasn’t love at first sight,” he told The New York Times in 2022. “It was a gradual process. A lot of my best memories are just doing stuff with my brother.”

By nine, Naroditsky had become the top US player for his age group. He won the Under-12 World Youth Championship at 11 and later earned the grandmaster title at 18, the same year he claimed the U.S. Junior Championship. A Stanford University graduate with a degree in history, he later devoted himself to coaching and streaming full-time in Charlotte.

He remained among the world’s top 200 classical players and recently captured the US Blitz Championship with a perfect 14-0 score. Yet it was his ability to connect that defined him. “He could explain the game to an ant,” said streamer Levy Rozman (GothamChess).

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Naroditsky is survived by his mother and brother. His father passed away in 2019.

His final video, posted just days before his death, ended with a smile: “I’m back, better than ever.”