American Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies Unexpectedly Aged 29

Daniel Naroditsky, a highly respected chess grandmaster and educator, died unexpectedly at the age of 29, shocking the global chess community. Naroditsky was a celebrated figure known for his rapid and blitz chess skills and had a significant online presence with hundreds of thousands of followers on YouTube and Twitch. He became a grandmaster at 18 and was ranked among the top 200 chess players worldwide and 17th in the United States as of 2025. The Charlotte Chess Center, where he served as head coach, mourned his loss and requested privacy for his family, praising his passion for chess and the inspiration he provided. Fellow grandmasters and fans alike remembered him as a talented player, a kind-hearted individual, and a loyal friend. The cause of Naroditsky's death has not been publicly disclosed.