The chess community is mourning the sudden death of Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky at 29. The Charlotte Chess Center announced his passing, saying, “It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky.” His family described him as “a talented chess player, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community… a loving son and brother, and a loyal friend.”

Born in the San Francisco Bay Area, Naroditsky learned chess at six and won gold at the 2007 Under-12 World Youth Chess Championship. He became an International Master in 2011 and a Grandmaster in 2013. After graduating from Stanford, he joined the Charlotte Chess Center as a coach and streamer.

Known for his sharp commentary and teaching, he published Mastering Positional Chess at age 14 and received the prestigious Samford Chess Fellowship in 2014.

Tributes poured in from across the chess world. Chess.com’s Danny Rensch wrote, “Danya was more than an amazing, inspirational face of our game, he was a friend and brother.”

Naroditsky’s final YouTube post showed him cheerful and creative. His last message to close friend Olexandr Bortnyk read simply: “Happy Birthday, Sasha.” His legacy as a player, teacher, and kind spirit will never be forgotten.