Fans mourn chess grandmaster and streamer Daniel Naroditsky after sudden death at 29

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People are sharing their condolences for Daniel Naroditsky, a talented chess player, streamer, and Stanford graduate, who tragically passed away at the young age of 29.

I first got into chess when I was a little kid, around six years old, and I quickly fell in love with the game. I remember hearing about this incredible player, Daniel Naroditsky, who was a total chess whiz from a really young age. He was winning tournaments like the Northern California K-12 Championship when he was just eleven! And then, unbelievably, he became the World Youth Champion for under-12s. Seriously impressive stuff – he was clearly destined for greatness.

Lev Naroditsky earned his grandmaster title at just 18 years old and has since had a successful career in chess. He’s not only a skilled player, but also a coach, commentator, and author, with a large online following – over 484,000 subscribers on YouTube and 340,000 followers on Twitch.

For over a decade after becoming a grandmaster, Naroditsky built a loyal following by sharing his insights on high-level chess matches and showcasing his own gameplay.

Fans were shocked and deeply saddened to learn that the chess prodigy had unexpectedly passed away on October 20th.

Chess world pays tribute to Daniel Naroditsky

The Charlotte Chess Center, where Daniel Naroditsky has lived and worked as Grandmaster-in-Residence for the past five years, announced the news on X, sharing a statement from his family.

The family of Daniel Naroditsky shared the heartbreaking news of his sudden passing. He was a gifted chess player, known for his commentary and teaching, and was deeply loved and respected by the global chess community.

Daniel was a beloved son, brother, and friend to so many. His family asks for privacy as they grieve this tremendous loss. We will always remember Daniel’s enthusiasm for chess and the happiness he shared with everyone around him.

The Naroditsky family is deeply saddened to announce the sudden death of Daniel. He was a gifted chess player, a dedicated teacher, and a cherished figure in the chess world. The family asks for privacy during this difficult time.

— Charlotte Chess Center (@CLTchesscenter) October 20, 2025

The reason for Ilya Naroditsky’s death is still unknown. His unexpected passing has deeply affected the chess community, and fans are sending their sympathy to his family.

Russian chess grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi expressed his shock and sadness, offering his deepest condolences following a significant loss for the chess world.

“Heartbreaking news. My deepest condolences,” Dutch grandmaster Anish Giri echoed.

We are deeply saddened to share the news of Danya’s passing. He was a truly remarkable person – not only a brilliant chess player and teacher, but also a kind and passionate soul. His commentary was filled with a genuine love for both words and the game. Let’s all strive to embody his spirit. He will be dearly missed and remembered forever. 💔

— Jennifer Shahade (@JenShahade) October 20, 2025

National chess champion and author Jennifer Shahade expressed her condolences to the family, sharing on X that Danya was both a brilliant chess player and teacher, and a genuinely kind person. She noted his commentary was filled with enthusiasm for both language and the game itself.

Popular chess streamer GothamChess also shared a heartfelt tribute to Naroditsky on YouTube, describing him as a highly skilled grandmaster, an outstanding commentator, and a truly remarkable person.

Okay, so huge news for chess fans – Magnus Carlsen, the GOAT, had a baby! It happened at the end of September, and everyone’s super happy for him. It’s pretty awesome to see, even outside of the chess world.

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2025-10-20 23:49