NEW DELHI: Daniel Naroditsky, a 29-year-old chess grandmaster from the Bay Space celebrated for his taking part in abilities and commentary, died unexpectedly, his household introduced Monday. A Stanford graduate, Naroditsky was a outstanding determine within the chess world, incomes quite a few accolades, together with the grandmaster title at age 18 and most not too long ago profitable the US Nationwide Blitz Championship.“Daniel was a proficient chess participant, commentator, and educator, and a cherished member of the chess neighborhood, admired and revered by followers and gamers around the globe,” 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 dropped at us all day by day.”Born in San Mateo, Naroditsky’s chess journey started early. He grew to become the youngest participant to win the Northern California Okay-12 Chess Championship and later received a gold medal within the Below-12 part of the World Youth Chess Championship in 2007. He additionally claimed the U.S. Junior Championship in 2013.After incomes his grandmaster title in 2013, Naroditsky was awarded the celebrated Samford Chess Fellowship in 2014. He graduated from Stanford College with a bachelor’s diploma in historical past in 2019.

Prime gamers and chess figures have been fast to precise their grief. World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura wrote: “I am devastated. It is a large loss for the world of chess.” Grandmaster Srinath Narayanan tweeted: “Misplaced for phrases. So younger, so sensible. The phrase ‘tragic’ would not even start to explain the emotion felt.”

Indian Grandmaster Vidit Gujrathi referred to as the information “completely stunning,” whereas Dronacharya awardee RB Ramesh posted: “Deepest condolences to Danya’s household and associates. Can’t imagine such a pleasant human being will not be amongst us anymore. Have had the honour of working with him in the course of the Covid interval. He was extraordinarily form, courteous, extraordinarily proficient and beneficiant. We are going to all miss you Danya.” Grandmaster Alireza Firouzja added: “Heartbreaking. My deepest condolences.”

Naroditsky maintained a robust presence in aggressive chess, persistently rating among the many world’s prime 200 gamers and the US prime 15 in classical chess. He was additionally ranked on the earth’s prime 75 in Speedy and prime 25 in Blitz, reaching a 2700 FIDE Blitz score in 2024.As of August 2025, his FIDE Blitz score stood at 2732, putting him 18th globally and sixth in america. He gained consideration in 2024 for calling former world champion Vladimir Kramnik “worse than filth” throughout a dishonest controversy on the World Speedy and Blitz Championship.In recent times, Naroditsky constructed a considerable on-line following, creating content material on Twitch and YouTube, the place he amassed 340,000 and 482,000 subscribers respectively. His channels featured insightful chess commentary and academic movies, reflecting his deep ardour for the sport.
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