Daniel “Danya” Naroditsky, finest often called the chess grandmaster who may play the sport blindfolded, died on October 19, 2025, his household and the Charlotte Chess Middle introduced. He was simply 29. For the reason that announcement famous that his dying was “sudden,” many wish to know what led to the younger chess participant’s dying.
“It’s with nice disappointment that we share the sudden passing of Daniel Naroditsky,” the assertion from Naroditysky’s household learn. “Daniel was a proficient chess participant, commentator and educator and a cherished member of the chess neighborhood, admired and revered by followers and gamers world wide. He was additionally a loving son and brother and a loyal buddy to many.”
Under, learn on to be taught what we all know to this point about Naroditsky’s life and dying.
The Naroditsky household shares the unhappy information of Daniel’s sudden passing. Daniel was a proficient chess participant, educator, and beloved member of the chess neighborhood. We ask for privateness because the household grieves. pic.twitter.com/otNdUxDKtL
— Charlotte Chess Middle (@CLTchesscenter) October 20, 2025
Who Was Daniel Naroditsky?
Naroditsky was a chess grandmaster, commentator and writer from San Mateo, California. He was raised by his mother and father, Vladimir and Lena, Jewish emigrants from the previous Soviet Union. Naroditsky realized how one can play chess when he was 6 years previous by his father.
Upon proving a knack for taking part in chess, Naroditsky spent his childhood enhancing his expertise and successful the Underneath-12 part of the 2007 World Youth Chess Championship within the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship.
Naroditsky was formally awarded the grandmaster title when he was 18. He additionally constructed a YouTube and Twitch following after changing into a hit chess participant and printed writer.
How Did Daniel Naroditsky Die?
A reason behind dying was not instantly disclosed by Naroditsky’s household nor the Charlotte Chess Middle. Nonetheless, their unique announcement famous that he died unexpectedly.
Fellow chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, took to X to seemingly focus on the aftermath of Naroditsky’s dying. In a single tweet on October 20, 2025, Kramnik tweeted, “Too excessive value paid, but when I used to be the one particular person shouting about apparent long run issues of Danya changing into alarming, requiring pressing measures from individuals round, whereas ‘associates’ solely cared about hiding it and erase proof, its rotten to the core.”
On October 20, Vladimir alleged that Naroditsky seemed “like one thing ‘very else’ than sleeping tablets [sic].” Two days prior, Vladimir tweeted a photograph that learn, “Don’t do Medicine,” on October 18.
Nobody from Naroditsky’s household has publicly commented on Kramnik’s tweets on the time of publication.
What Occurred to Daniel Naroditsky?
Since his reason behind dying has but to be revealed, the main points of Naroditsky’s remaining days are unclear, although rumors of him being discovered useless at residence have circulated.
Naroditsky was residing in Charlotte, North Carolina, after having moved there in 2020.