Tuesday, October 21, 2025 - 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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