The chess world has been hit a lot over the last couple of years. Cheating scandals, dress code violations, and the sharing of championships. Its brought a lot of eyes to the game, even if the attention hasn’t all been positive. Sadly, today we received news that unites the chess world in mourning with the passing of American grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.
Naroditsky was, by all reports, a kind and passionate player who enjoyed educating people about the game as much as he enjoyed playing it. Through his livestreams and commentary on chess broadcasts, he helped bring his voice to the game and expanding it to newcomers.
The loss comes as a shock to many, as Naroditsky had just posted to his YouTube channel on Friday the 17th. No cause of death has been revealed. “Let us remember Daniel for his passion and love for the game of chess, and for the joy and inspiration he brought to us all every day,” his family simply asked.
At only 29 years old, Naroditsky rose through the ranks starting at a young age. He was a dominant player in the Under 12 category and obtained the title of Grandmaster when he was 18. He spent a number of his adult years working at the Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina where his love of teaching made him a valuable asset as a coach to up and coming players.
We sincerely wish his family and friends the very best as they navigate this hard time. The world of chess lost a grandmaster, but the world as a whole has lost a compassionate and caring person and educator.
