CHARLOTTE, N.C. — October 21, 2025
The international chess community is mourning the loss of American grandmaster and popular chess commentator Daniel Naroditsky, who has died at the age of 29. The news was confirmed late Monday by the Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky had been serving as the Executive Director and head coach.
Details surrounding his death remain unclear, and no official cause has been released by the family or authorities. According to the club’s statement, Naroditsky’s passing was “sudden and unexpected.”
Born in San Mateo, California, Naroditsky was a chess prodigy, becoming a grandmaster at the age of 18. Over the years, he became widely known not only for his tournament successes but also for his educational chess content online, reaching millions of viewers on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Prominent figures in the chess world — including grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen — expressed their condolences on social media, calling Naroditsky “a brilliant mind” and “a generous teacher who inspired a generation of chess players.”
A memorial service is expected to be held in Charlotte later this week.
