Daniel Naroditsky (Kelly Centrelli/Charlotte Chess Center via AP) Daniel Naroditsky, a prominent American chess grandmaster and instructor, has died at the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Center announced his death on October 20, 2025, the cause remains unknown.A graduate of Stanford, Naroditsky achieved remarkable success in the chess world, becoming a grandmaster at 17. His most recent achievement was winning the US National Blitz Championship.
Chess world shocked: Daniel Naroditsky’s latest move raises questions
“Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator and educator and a valued member of the chess community, admired and respected by fans and players around the world,” his family said in a statement shared by the Charlotte Chess Center. “Let’s remember Daniel for his passion and love for the game of chess and for the joy and inspiration he brought to us all every day.”A few days before his death, Naroditsky posted a video on his YouTube channel titled “You Thought I Was Gone!?” This was his first video in three months.In the video, Naroditsky explained his return after a creative hiatus from streaming. He performed live chess matches from his home studio while explaining his moves to the audience.The circumstances of his death have sparked debate in the chess community. Some fans reported seeing unusual behavior during his last live stream.Several viewers noted the behavior during his last stream, with one Reddit user describing shaky jaw movements, wide eyes and occasional incoherent speech, including switching to Russian.Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik raised questions about the death on his X profile. “What exactly happened? I got this two days ago from a friend who is a chess fan and I did my best to warn people urgently through my posts,” Kramnik wrote. “For those who prefer blaming and shaming instead of helping: a terrible tragedy. I hope this is properly investigated.”Naroditsky achieved grandmaster status, the highest chess rank, at the age of 17 and wrote several books on the sport. In 2019, he began teaching chess on YouTube under the name Danya, helping introduce the game to a wider audience.Born in San Mateo, California, Naroditsky began his chess journey at the age of six when his father taught him the game. He won the World Youth Chess Championship in the under-12 category before earning his grandmaster title.During his career, Naroditsky made significant contributions to chess education and commentary. His online presence and teaching methods helped make chess more accessible to new players.
