Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29

Daniel Naroditsky, a well-known American chess grandmaster and popular online teacher, has died at the age of 29.

The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where he worked as head coach, announced his death on social media on Monday. The post did not mention the cause or location of his death.

“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 loving son, brother, and friend to many.”

Chess Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies at 29


Naroditsky was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He started learning chess at just 6 years old and quickly became one of America’s top young players. Before finishing high school, he earned the title of Grandmaster, the highest rank given by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

He won several youth tournaments, including two national grade-level championships. In fifth grade, he became the youngest player ever to win the California K–12 Championship. Later that same year, in 2007, he became the World Under-12 Chess Champion, earning worldwide recognition.

After taking a year off to focus on chess, Naroditsky studied at Stanford University, graduating in 2019 with a degree in history.

Beyond competing, Daniel loved teaching chess. He published his first chess book when he was only 14 years old, and later wrote for Chess Life magazine and other chess publications. In 2022, he also became a chess columnist for The New York Times.

Naroditsky was famous online for making chess fun and easy to understand. He had almost 500,000 YouTube subscribers and 340,000 followers on Twitch, where he streamed games, taught strategies, and built a warm, friendly community. His Twitch bio read: “Hop into my stream for great chess, good tunes, and an amazing community!!”

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) honored him, calling him “a talented chess player, commentator, and educator.”

At the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship in St. Louis, a moment of silence was held to remember him. The Saint Louis Chess Club called him “a beloved pillar of the chess community” whose teaching inspired countless players around the world.

Naroditsky’s family asked for privacy and said they hope people remember Daniel for his love of chess and the happiness he shared through it.

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