Daniel Naroditsky, 29-year-old chess grandmaster and educator, dies unexpectedly

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Daniel Naroditsky is ranked first in the world for chess for boys 12 and under. (Photo By Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Daniel Naroditsky, a 29-year-old chess grandmaster, educator, and beloved figure in the chess world, has died unexpectedly.

A cause of death was not revealed. 

What they're saying:

"It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky. Daniel was a talented chess player, educator, and cherished member of the chess community," the Charlotte Chess Center announced on Instagram.  "He was also a loving son, brother, and loyal friend."

"We ask for privacy for Daniel’s family during this extremely difficult time. Let us honor Daniel by remembering his passion for chess and the inspiration he brought to us all."

Who is Daniel Naroditsky?

Dig deeper:

According to the U.S. Chess Federation, Naroditsky competed in five U.S. Championships and published his first book, "Mastering Positional Chess," at just 14 years old. 

He captured the gold medal in the Under-12 Open section of the 2007 FIDE World Youth Championships and went on to win the 2013 U.S. Junior (Under-20) Championship at age 17. Naroditsky also contributed to the game as a Chess Life columnist from 2014 to 2020.

Beyond his competitive success, Naroditsky became widely recognized in the U.S. and internationally as a popular chess streamer and educator. As Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura noted during a Kick stream on Monday, Naroditsky was part of the first wave of prodigious chess streamers — alongside Nakamura himself, International Master Levy Rozman, and the Botez sisters — who helped transform the modern perception of the game.