American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky passed away on October 19 at the age of 29 almost 3 weeks to his 30th birthday. His family announced the news on Monday, October 20, through the Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky was the Grandmaster-in-Residence.
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the statement said. “Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community, admired and respected by fans and players around the world.” They announced.
The cause of death has not been disclosed, and his family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
Born on November 9 1995 in San Mateo, California, to immigrants Parents from the Soviet Union, Naroditsky was a renowned chess player, commentator, and educator celebrated for his exceptional teaching skills and entertaining commentary style. He became a grandmaster at 18 and was consistently ranked among the world’s top 200 players and the US top 15 in classical chess. Recently, he won the US National Blitz Championship in August 2025 with a perfect 14-0 score.
The chess community has paid tribute to Naroditsky’s remarkable talent, kindness, and contributions to the game. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura described his death as a “massive loss for the world of chess”. Other notable chess players, including Vidit Gujrathi and Alireza Firouzja, have also expressed their condolences.
