American Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29, ...

American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky passed away unexpectedly at the age of 29, the Charlotte Chess Center announced on Monday, October 20, 2025. The center, where Naroditsky trained and worked as a coach, described him as "a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community."

Naroditsky, known affectionately as "Danya," was a significant figure in the chess world, celebrated for both his exceptional playing ability and his dedication to teaching. His untimely death has sent shockwaves through the global chess community.

A child prodigy, Naroditsky achieved the prestigious grandmaster title at just 18 years old in 2013, solidifying his status as one of the brightest talents in American chess. He had previously won the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in 2007.

Beyond the chessboard, Naroditsky cultivated an immense online following, amassing over 800,000 combined followers on YouTube and Twitch. He was renowned for his engaging "speedrun" videos and his ability to demystify complex chess concepts for a broad audience.

Tributes poured in from fellow grandmasters and chess personalities, including Hikaru Nakamura and International Master Levy Rozman. They highlighted Naroditsky's passion, educational spirit, and his unique talent for making chess accessible and exciting to millions.

Naroditsky was also a prolific author and columnist, publishing two chess books and contributing regularly to Chess Life magazine and The New York Times. His writings further cemented his role as a leading educator in the sport.

His family released a statement through the Charlotte Chess Center, requesting privacy during this difficult time and stating that no cause of death would be immediately released. Naroditsky's passing occurred just weeks before his 30th birthday on November 9.

Early Life and Rapid Ascent: Born on November 9, 1995, in San Mateo, California, Daniel Naroditsky discovered chess at age six. He quickly rose through the ranks, winning the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in 2007. By age 14, he became one of the youngest published chess authors with "Mastering Positional Chess," and earned his Grandmaster title in 2013 at just 18.
Educational Impact and Online Presence: From 2020 to 2025, Naroditsky served as the Grandmaster-in-Residence at the Charlotte Chess Center, where he was a head coach. He was a pioneer in online chess education, captivating over 800,000 combined followers on YouTube and Twitch with his engaging commentary and "speedrun" videos, making the game understandable to players of all levels.
Competitive Achievements: Naroditsky maintained a strong competitive career, consistently ranking among the top 200 classical players globally and top 25 in blitz chess. He notably defeated then-world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana in the 2021 U.S. Championship. In August 2025, he won the US National Blitz Championship with a perfect 14-0 score, showcasing his exceptional skill in faster time controls.
Literary Contributions: Demonstrating his commitment to chess education, Naroditsky authored two acclaimed books: "Mastering Positional Chess" (published at age 14) and "Mastering Complex Endgames." He also contributed a monthly column, "The Practical Endgame," to Chess Life magazine from 2014 to 2020, and wrote a series of chess puzzles for The New York Times in 2022.
Community Reaction and Legacy: The news of Naroditsky's passing evoked widespread grief across the chess world. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura expressed devastation, calling it a "massive loss," while International Master Levy Rozman praised Naroditsky's ability to "explain the game to an ant." His legacy is defined by his blend of elite playing skill with an uncommon ability to make chess feel human and exciting for a global audience.
Personal Background and Education: Naroditsky graduated from Stanford University in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in history. Despite parental encouragement for a corporate career, he dedicated his life to chess, moving to Charlotte, North Carolina, in 2019 to pursue coaching and content creation full-time. His family has requested privacy as they mourn his unexpected loss.