American chess grandmaster Naroditsky dies at 29
American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky in a photo posted on social media by his chess club on Oct 20, 2025. (Photo: Facebook/Charlotte Chess Center)
NEW YORK: American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has died unexpectedly at the age of 29, his family said in a statement released by his club, the Charlotte Chess Center, on Monday (Oct 20).
He was "admired and respected by fans and players around the world", the statement added.
"It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky," the family said. "Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community."
No cause of death was given.
Naroditsky, born in California in 1995, was one of the United States' most recognisable chess figures. A former world youth champion, he became a grandmaster in 2013.
In addition to competing, finishing ninth in the blitz world championship last year, he was widely known as a popular commentator, writer and online educator. Naroditsky streamed regularly on platforms such as Twitch and YouTube.
Governing body the International Chess Federation (FIDE) remembered Naroditsky as a player "whose influence extended far beyond the chessboard".
Fellow grandmaster and world number two Hikaru Nakamura wrote on social media: "I'm devastated. This is a massive loss for the world of chess."
FIDE said that Naroditsky "played a pivotal role in popularising chess content online, bridging the gap between professional and amateur chess".
"There are not many people in the world who manage to achieve so much before turning 30."
Naroditsky was ranked number one in his native US when he was just nine years old, The New York Times said.
