US chess grandmaster and celebrated online commentator Daniel Naroditsky has died at the age of 29, his family confirmed in a statement shared by the Charlotte Chess Center on Monday. The club described his death as “unexpected,” though no cause was disclosed.
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the statement read. “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 announcement prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the global chess community. The US Chess Federation and the International Chess Federation (FIDE) both honoured Naroditsky for his contribution to the modern game.
American grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, ranked world number two, said he was “devastated” by the news. “This is a massive loss for the world of chess,” he wrote on social media.
FIDE praised Naroditsky’s influence as a digital ambassador for the sport, calling him a “pivotal figure in popularising chess content online.”
Beyond tournament play, Naroditsky became one of chess’s most recognisable online personalities. His YouTube channel attracted nearly 500,000 subscribers, while his Twitch stream built a following of more than 340,000. Fans affectionately referred to him as “Danya,” drawn to his calm teaching style and sharp commentary.
Known for combining professional insight with humour, Naroditsky helped introduce chess to a new generation of players during the game’s online resurgence, particularly after the global success of Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit.
“He was everything that the combination of chess and content creation was supposed to be – he had this way to make chess fun,” said Nemo Zhou, a Woman Grandmaster based in Toronto, in an interview with the BBC. Zhou, who often collaborated with him at tournaments and online events, described him as a “true historian of the game” who “did everything with kindness.”
Naroditsky’s journey into chess began at age six, when his older brother Alan introduced him to the game during a birthday party. His father, Vladimir, and several coaches quickly recognised his exceptional talent.
He captured global attention in 2007 by winning the World Youth Chess Championship (Under-12 Boys) in Antalya, Turkey. Three years later, at 14, he authored Mastering Positional Chess, becoming one of the youngest published chess authors in history.
In 2013 he won the US Junior Championship, earning the title of grandmaster — the highest distinction awarded by FIDE — while still a teenager.
After graduating from Stanford University, Naroditsky settled in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he coached at the Charlotte Chess Center. In 2022, The New York Times named him its new chess columnist, featuring his regular puzzles and analysis.
In the accompanying interview, he reflected on his lifelong connection to the game: “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 family and the Charlotte Chess Center have not yet announced details of memorial arrangements.
Africa Digital News, New York
