American Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29, Leaving Global Chess World in Mourning

American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has died at the age of 29, leaving the chess community in deep shock and sorrow.
The Charlotte Chess Center, where he was head coach, confirmed his unexpected death, describing him as a brilliant player, teacher, and friend.
Naroditsky rose to fame early, earning the Grandmaster title in his teens and later gaining millions of fans through his chess tutorials and live streams.
Tributes from FIDE, fellow players, and the Saint Louis Chess Club hailed him as an inspiring educator whose legacy will live on.

The American chess community is mourning the sudden loss of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away at just 29 years old. The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where he served as head coach, announced his death in a statement, describing it as “unexpected and deeply painful” for chess lovers around the world.

Naroditsky, born in the San Francisco Bay Area, began playing chess at the age of six and quickly displayed extraordinary talent. By his teenage years, he had already achieved the Grandmaster title, marking him as one of the youngest and most promising American chess players of his generation.

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Throughout his career, Naroditsky earned several national titles and won the World Youth Chess Championship (Under-12) in 2007. He later graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history, balancing his academic achievements with his lifelong passion for the game.

Outside the tournament hall, Naroditsky became a beloved figure in the online chess world. With nearly half a million subscribers on YouTube and hundreds of thousands of followers on Twitch, he shared his love for chess through engaging tutorials and live commentary. His calm voice, detailed analysis, and friendly personality helped introduce the beauty of chess to a global audience.

He also authored two chess books, contributed insightful articles to Chess Life magazine, and in 2022, became a chess columnist for The New York Times. His Twitch bio perfectly summed up his spirit: “Hop into my stream for great chess, good tunes, and an amazing community!!”

Tributes have continued to pour in. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) honored him as a “talented player and teacher whose influence inspired players worldwide.” The Saint Louis Chess Club, during the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship, held a moment of silence in his memory, calling him “a beloved pillar of the chess community whose passion will never be forgotten.”

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