US chess grandmaster and online commentator Daniel Naroditsky has died aged 29.
The popular chess player's family announced his unexpected death in a statement released by his club, the Charlotte Chess Center, on Monday. No cause of death was given.
It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky, the statement said. Daniel was a talented chess player, commentator and educator, and a cherished member of the chess community, admired and respected by fans and players around the world.
The US and International chess federations have paid tribute to Naroditsky, along with other professional players.
American world number two Hikaru Nakamura expressed his devastation over the loss, calling it a massive loss for the world of chess.
Naroditsky, affectionately known to his online fans as 'Danya', first became interested in chess at the age of six, introduced to the game by his older brother Alan. He gained international attention in 2007 when he won the under-12 boys world youth championship in Turkey. By the age of 14, he had already authored a book titled *Mastering Positional Chess*.
He earned the title of grandmaster in 2013 and later graduated from Stanford University. Naroditsky also became a significant figure in the online chess community, with nearly 500,000 subscribers on YouTube and 340,000 followers on Twitch. His engaging commentary and instructional videos attracted hundreds of thousands of chess enthusiasts.
In 2022, he was appointed as the New York Times' new chess columnist, showcasing his expertise and passion for the game.
His remarkable journey in chess, marked by continuous discovery and passion, will resonate in the hearts of many.
