Daniel Naroditsky, chess grandmaster and highly followed streamer, has died at just 29 years old

The chess world is mourning the passing of Daniel Naroditsky, one of the most promising American talents of his generation. Born in San Mateo in 1995, he was recognized as a child prodigy from the early years of his career, when he won the Under 12 World Championship in 2007. At just 18 years old, he obtained the title of Grand Master, the highest recognition of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

In addition to his talent on the board, Naroditsky was also a brilliant communicator. Already at the age of 14 he had published his first book on chess strategy, followed by a second volume dedicated to the analysis of the game. After graduating from Stanford University with a degree in history, he continued to compete at the highest level, achieving a FIDE rating of 2647 and ranking among the top 150 players in the world. In August 2025 he won the United States national Blitz title, a specialty in which he was considered among the best ever.

A career also as a streamer

Naroditsky was not just a player, but also a true icon of chess streaming. With nearly 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and a huge following on Twitch, he had helped make chess a viral phenomenon among the new generations. His online lessons, speedruns and live comments were followed by thousands of enthusiasts. “He loved teaching and making the game accessible to all” recalled his colleague Hikaru Nakamura, deeply affected by the news.

Accusations of online cheating

In 2024, Naroditsky ended up at the center of a controversy after accusations of online cheating made by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. The affair had profoundly affected him, but it had also shown the unanimous support of the chess community, which considered him a point of reference for correctness and talent.

The Charlotte Chess Club of North Carolina, where he worked as a coach and mentor, announced his death, describing him as “a beloved member and an inspirational educatorThe causes of his death remain unknown, but his legacy remains profound: that of a player who was able to combine tactical genius with digital culture, making chess more alive than ever.

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