Remembering Daniel Naroditsky: The Rising Chess Star Who Left a Lasting Legacy

Tue Oct 21 2025 12:29:19 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The chess community mourns the loss of Daniel Naroditsky, a brilliant US chess grandmaster and online commentator who passed away unexpectedly at the young age of 29. His impressive career and contributions to the game have left an indelible mark on players and fans worldwide.

Daniel Naroditsky, a celebrated US chess grandmaster, passed away at the age of 29, just weeks before his 30th birthday. His family announced that he died unexpectedly, and while the cause of death remains unreported, tributes have poured in from the chess community, highlighting his influence as a player, commentator, and educator. Naroditsky first gained fame as a child prodigy and continued to impact the chess world through his online presence, gaining hundreds of thousands of followers on platforms like YouTube and Twitch.

US chess grandmaster and online commentator Daniel Naroditsky has died aged 29.

The popular chess player's family announced his unexpected death in a statement released by his club, the Charlotte Chess Center, on Monday. No cause of death was given.

It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky, the statement said. 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. The US and International chess federations have paid tribute to Naroditsky, along with other professional players.

American world number two Hikaru Nakamura said he was devastated at the news. This is a massive loss for the world of chess, Nakamura expressed on social media.

Naroditsky's journey into chess began at age six, sparked by his older brother Alan. His family noticed his inherent talent, and he soon emerged as a noteworthy competitor.

He captured international attention in 2007 by winning the under-12 boys world youth championship in Antalya, Turkey. In 2010, at 14, he published his first book, Mastering Positional Chess, making waves as one of the youngest published chess authors.

By 2013, Naroditsky had secured the title of grandmaster after winning the US Junior Championship while still a teenager.

He graduated from Stanford University and transitioned his focus to the online chess community. His popular YouTube channel boasted nearly 500,000 subscribers, and his Twitch stream gathered 340,000 followers, where he held regular video tutorials and livestreams that captivated countless viewers. Known affectionately as ‘Danya’ among fans, he brought enthusiasm and insight to chess education.

In 2022, Naroditsky began serving as a chess columnist for the New York Times, sharing his passion for the game through published puzzles and commentary.

Reflecting on chess’s significance in his life, Naroditsky once remarked, 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. His legacy will resonate within the chess community for years to come.