US chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky has passed away at the age of 29, just weeks before his 30th birthday. His family announced his unexpected death in a statement released by the Charlotte Chess Center. No cause of death has been specified. The chess community has expressed its grief following the announcement, with both the US and International chess federations paying tribute to Naroditsky, alongside fellow professionals.
Naroditsky, affectionately known to his online audience as “Danya,” began playing chess at the age of six when his brother introduced him to the game. He gained significant recognition at the age of 11 by winning the under-12 boys world youth championship in Antalya, Turkey. At 14, he became one of the youngest published chess authors with his book “Mastering Positional Chess.” He achieved the title of grandmaster at 15 after winning the US Junior Championship in 2013.
Naroditsky attended Stanford University, where he graduated before taking up a role as a chess coach in Charlotte, North Carolina. His online presence flourished through platforms like YouTube and Twitch, where his channels attracted nearly 500,000 and 340,000 followers, respectively. He was known for his instructional videos and live streams, which showcased his insights into the game.
In 2022, Naroditsky was appointed as a chess columnist for the New York Times, contributing to a series of chess puzzles. In an interview with the publication, he reflected on the ongoing discoveries within chess, stating that there is always something beautiful to find in the game through training, teaching, or commentating. His profound impact on the chess community raises questions about the future role of such influential figures in the sport.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15pz8vpjp9o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss