Chess grandmaster and streamer Daniel Naroditsky dead at 29

Chess grandmaster and beloved educator Daniel Naroditsky has died at 29, leaving the chess world in shock

The chess world is mourning the sudden loss of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, who has died unexpectedly at the age of 29.

The Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky had served as Grandmaster-in-Residence since 2020, confirmed his passing on Monday, calling him a “beloved member of the chess community” and “a loyal friend.”

Born in San Mateo, California, Naroditsky was a prodigy who began playing chess at six years old. By age 11, he had already won the Northern California K-12 Chess Championship and later became the World Youth Champion for boys under 12. In 2013, at just 18, he earned the title of grandmaster and went on to become one of America’s most respected players and commentators.

Naroditsky balanced his competitive career with a passion for education and online content creation. With more than 482,000 YouTube subscribers and 340,000 Twitch followers, he gained global recognition for his detailed chess lessons and commentary, including his popular “speedrun” series that taught strategy in real time.

Tributes poured in from across the chess world. Chess.com’s Danny Rensch described him as “a friend and brother,” while Grandmasters Hikaru Nakamura, Alireza Firouzja, and Anna Cramling expressed heartbreak over his passing. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) also extended condolences to his family.

Naroditsky’s recent accomplishments included winning his 32nd Bullet Brawl title and the U.S. National Blitz Championship with a perfect score.

He is survived by his parents and brother. To many, Daniel Naroditsky was more than a grandmaster—he was an educator and inspiration whose legacy will continue to shape the global chess community.