Daniel Naroditsky, a outstanding American chess grandmaster and teacher, has handed away on the age of 29. The Charlotte Chess Heart introduced his dying on October 20, 2025, with the trigger remaining undisclosed.Naroditsky, a Stanford graduate, achieved outstanding success within the chess world, changing into a grandmaster at 17. His most up-to-date accomplishment was 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 all over the world,” his household stated in a press release shared by the Charlotte Chess Heart. “Allow us to keep 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.”Days earlier than his dying, Naroditsky posted a video on his YouTube channel titled “You Thought I Was Gone!?” This was his first video in three months.Within the video, Naroditsky defined his return after taking a inventive break from streaming. He demonstrated dwell chess matches from his residence studio whereas explaining his strikes to viewers.The circumstances surrounding his dying have sparked discussions inside the chess group. Some followers have reported observing uncommon behaviour throughout his remaining livestream.A number of viewers famous regarding behaviour throughout his final stream, with one Reddit person describing trembling jaw actions, extensive eyes, and occasional incoherent speech, together with switching to Russian.Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik has raised questions concerning the dying on his X profile. “What precisely occurred? I acquired this two days in the past from a good friend who’s a chess fan, and I did what I might to warn folks urgently by way of my posts,” Kramnik wrote. “To those that want blaming and shaming as an alternative of serving to: terrible tragedy. I hope it’s correctly investigated.”Naroditsky achieved grandmaster standing, chess’s highest rank, at age 17 and authored a number of books concerning the sport. In 2019, he started educating chess on YouTube underneath the title Danya, serving to introduce the sport to a broader viewers.Born in San Mateo, California, Naroditsky’s chess journey started at age six when his father taught him the sport. He went on to win the World Youth Chess Championship within the under-12 class earlier than incomes his grandmaster title.All through his profession, Naroditsky made vital contributions to chess training and commentary. His on-line presence and educating strategies helped make chess extra accessible to new gamers.