Chess World Mourns Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky’s Sudden Death at 29
The global chess community is reeling after the sudden death of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, one of the most respected voices in modern chess. He was just 29 years old.
The Charlotte Chess Center confirmed the heartbreaking news on October 21, 2025, posting a statement on X (formerly Twitter) from the Naroditsky family:
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the message read.
“He was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator — a beloved son, brother, and friend to many.”
The cause of death has not yet been disclosed. The family has asked for privacy while they mourn the loss of a man whose passion for the game inspired millions.
Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Naroditsky learned chess at just six years old from his father and older brother. His prodigious talent became clear early — he won gold at the Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship in Antalya, Turkey, in 2007.
By 2013, he had earned his Grandmaster title, later reaching a peak FIDE rating of 2621. After graduating from Stanford University in 2019, he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he became the Resident Grandmaster at the Charlotte Chess Center and a beloved online educator and streamer.