US chess grandmaster daniel Naroditsky has died at the age of 29. The rising star, known for his captivating online presence and insightful chess commentary, passed away Tuesday, leaving the chess world in mourning.
Naroditsky’s death cuts short a promising career marked by early championship victories and a recent surge in popularity fueled by his engaging YouTube and Twitch streams. His passing deprives the chess community of a uniquely gifted player and communicator, and silences a voice that inspired countless fans with his passion for the game. Details surrounding his death have not yet been released.
Born in 1995, Naroditsky achieved international recognition as a chess prodigy, winning the World Youth Championship in Turkey in 2008. He later graduated from Stanford University and worked as a chess coach in Charlotte,North Carolina,before dedicating himself too both competitive play and online content creation.
Naroditsky’s online channels quickly amassed a devoted following. His YouTube channel garnered nearly 500,000 subscribers, while his Twitch stream attracted 340,000 followers, drawn to his tutorials and livestreams. Fans affectionately called him “Danya,” praising his depth of understanding and excited approach to the game.
In 2022, The New York Times appointed Naroditsky as its chess columnist, commissioning him to create puzzles for the newspaper’s games section. During an interview with the Times,naroditsky reflected on his lifelong connection to chess. “Even at my level, I can still discover beautiful things about the game every single time I train, teach, play or am a commentator at a tournament,” he said.
