Chess grandmaster Daniel ‘Danya’ Naroditsky has passed away in Charlotte, North Carolina, as confirmed by both the Charlotte Chess Center and the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The circumstances surrounding his death have not been disclosed.
The 29-year-old American, born in San Mateo, California, earned his GM title in 2013 at the age of 18. A prodigy from the start, Naroditsky won the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in 2007 and reached a peak FIDE rating of 2647. At just 14, he published his first book on chess and later studied history at Stanford University, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in the country.
GM Daniel Naroditsky passed away. He was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator. FIDE extends its deepest condolences to Daniel’s family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/uxoccDbnHW
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) October 20, 2025
A vibrant chess personality
Consistently ranked among the top 150 players globally, Naroditsky was known not only for his over-the-board achievements – such as his stunning victory over then-world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana at the 2021 U.S. Championship – but also for his vibrant presence in the online chess world. He was a regular on sites like Chess.com and Lichess.org, where his skill and charisma earned him a massive following.
Naroditsky was a popular content creator on platforms such as YouTube, where he amassed hundreds of thousands of subscribers. His educational videos, speedruns, and live commentary made him one of the most influential chess streamers of his generation. He was also a respected chess commentator and columnist, contributing regularly to The New York Times with puzzles inspired by classic games.
Naroditsky was the son of Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union – his father, Vladimir, emigrated from Ukraine, and his mother, Lena, from Azerbaijan. He reached as high as No. 18 in the world in blitz chess, a fast-paced format where each player has only three to five minutes to complete all their moves.
In 2024, Naroditsky faced a difficult moment when former world champion Vladimir Kramnik accused him of cheating in online blitz games. Naroditsky responded forcefully, calling Kramnik “worse than dirt” and expressing frustration over the impact such allegations had on his reputation and relationships within the chess community. Fellow grandmaster and content creator Hikaru Nakamura publicly defended Naroditsky, standing by his integrity and contributions to the game.
Related stories
Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.
Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
