NEW DELHI: Daniel Naroditsky, a 29-year-old chess grandmaster from the Bay Space celebrated for his enjoying abilities and commentary, died unexpectedly, his household introduced Monday. A Stanford graduate, Naroditsky was a outstanding determine within the chess world, incomes quite a few accolades, together with the grandmaster title at age 18 and most just lately profitable the US Nationwide Blitz Championship.“Daniel was a proficient chess participant, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess group, admired and revered by followers and gamers around the globe,” his household stated in a press release shared by the Charlotte Chess Middle. “Allow us to bear in mind Daniel for his ardour and love for the sport of chess, and for the enjoyment and inspiration he delivered to us all on daily basis.”Born in San Mateo, Naroditsky’s chess journey started early. He grew to become the youngest participant to win the Northern California Ok-12 Chess Championship and later received a gold medal within the Beneath-12 part of the World Youth Chess Championship in 2007. He additionally claimed the U.S. Junior Championship in 2013.After incomes his grandmaster title in 2013, Naroditsky was awarded the distinguished Samford Chess Fellowship in 2014. He graduated from Stanford College with a bachelor’s diploma in historical past in 2019.
High gamers and chess figures have been fast to specific their grief. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura wrote: “I am devastated. It is a huge loss for the world of chess.” Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan tweeted: “Misplaced for phrases. So younger, so good. The phrase ‘tragic’ does not even start to explain the emotion felt.”
Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi referred to as the information “completely surprising,” whereas Dronacharya awardee RB Ramesh posted: “Deepest condolences to Danya’s household and associates. Can not consider such a pleasant human being is just not amongst us anymore. Have had the honour of working with him in the course of the Covid interval. He was extraordinarily form, courteous, extraordinarily proficient and beneficiant. We are going to all miss you Danya.” Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja added: “Heartbreaking. My deepest condolences.”
Naroditsky maintained a robust presence in aggressive chess, constantly rating among the many world’s high 200 gamers and the US high 15 in classical chess. He was additionally ranked on the earth’s high 75 in Fast and high 25 in Blitz, reaching a 2700 FIDE Blitz score in 2024.As of August 2025, his FIDE Blitz score stood at 2732, putting him 18th globally and sixth in the US. He gained consideration in 2024 for calling former world champion Vladimir Kramnik “worse than grime” throughout a dishonest controversy on the World Fast and Blitz Championship.Lately, Naroditsky constructed a considerable on-line following, creating content material on Twitch and YouTube, the place he amassed 340,000 and 482,000 subscribers respectively. His channels featured insightful chess commentary and academic movies, reflecting his deep ardour for the sport.