Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has died at 29, the Charlotte Chess Center announced on Monday, Oct. 20.
In a statement shared to social media on behalf of the Naroditsky family, the center called the former World Junior Champion’s death “unexpected.”
“Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community, admired and respected by fans and players around the world,” it said. “He was also a loving son and brother, and a loyal friend to many.”
The center and family asked for privacy as they grieve Naroditsky’s loss.
Naroditsky was a California native who played in five U.S. Championships, according to the U.S. Chess Federation, and secured titles in junior and youth competitions. He won the gold medal in the Under-12 Open section of the 2007 FIDE World Youth Championships, and he won the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship at age 17.
Naroditsky was among the top ranked in the world in blitz chess, a type of speed chess with specific time rules, as per the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
He also published a book, “Mastering Positional Chess,” at just 14 years old in 2010 and another, “Mastering Complex Endgames,” in 2012.
He served as a “Chess Life” magazine columnist from 2014 to 2020 and wrote columns about the game for the New York Times. Naroditsky was known to have a large online following, thanks to his love for teaching and streaming chess on platforms like Twitch and YouTube. From 2020 to 2025, he was the Grandmaster-in-Residence of the Charlotte Chess Center.
“Let us 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,” said the statement shared by the Charlotte Chess Center.
