By Michelle Ndaga
The global chess community is mourning the death of American grandmaster and chess educator Daniel Naroditsky, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 29, according to a statement released by the Charlotte Chess Center on Monday. The cause of death has not been disclosed, and his family has requested privacy during this period.
Naroditsky, widely known by his nickname “Danya,” was one of the most prominent figures in modern chess not only for his achievements on the board but also for his massive online following as a teacher, streamer, and commentator. He became a grandmaster in 2013 at the age of 18 and achieved a peak FIDE rating of 2647 in 2017.
Born in San Mateo, California, to Ukrainian and Azerbaijani immigrant parents, Naroditsky’s chess talent was evident early on. He won the World Youth Chess Championship (Under-12) in 2007 and went on to become U.S. Junior Champion before turning his focus toward teaching and commentary.
In recent years, Naroditsky became a major presence on platforms such as YouTube and Twitch, where his instructive streams and calm, insightful analysis drew hundreds of thousands of viewers. His educational approach made competitive chess more accessible and inspired a new generation of players.
Tributes have poured in from around the world. Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura called his death “devastating for the chess world,” while the International Chess Federation (FIDE) praised him as “a gifted player, commentator, and educator whose impact extended far beyond the board.”
