The chess world is in mourning for Daniel Naroditsky, one of America’s most famous chess grandmasters and a well-known online teacher. He died at the age of 29. On Monday, the Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky was head coach, announced his death. However, they did not say what caused it.
The center said in a family statement shared on social media, “Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator, and educator, and he was a beloved member of the chess world.”
Naroditsky grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and learned how to play chess when he was only six. His love for the game quickly turned into skill. He won several national titles and became the youngest player to win the California K-12 Championship. He became famous around the world in 2007 when he won the World Youth Chess Championship (U12).
By the time he was a teenager, Naroditsky had already been named a grandmaster by the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He went on to study history at Stanford University, where he graduated in 2019. After that, he spent a lot of time writing about chess, coaching, and making content for the internet.
Fans lovingly called Naroditsky “Danya,” and he became well-known not only for his skill but also for the way he taught. He had almost half a million subscribers on YouTube and more than 340,000 followers on Twitch. There, he broke down complicated strategies in a funny and clear way. His streaming tagline, which invited fans to enjoy “great chess, good tunes, and an amazing community,” showed how friendly he was about the game.
After he died, the chess world paid heartfelt tributes. The Saint Louis Chess Club called him “a beloved pillar of the chess community.” FIDE praised his work as a player and a teacher. At the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis, people stood up and were quiet for a moment in his honor.
During this hard time, Naroditsky’s family has asked for privacy. They want the community to remember him for his love of teaching, kindness, and dedication. Their statement said, “Let us remember Daniel for his love of chess and the happiness he brought to so many.”
