Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky’s death sparks mental health debate

American chess grandmaster, commentator, and educator Daniel Naroditsky has died at the age of 29, just weeks before his 30th birthday. His family confirmed the news through a statement shared by the Charlotte Chess Center on Monday, describing his passing as “unexpected.” No cause of death was provided.

“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 statement read.

Tributes poured in from across the chess world, with US grandmaster and world number two Hikaru Nakamura calling the loss “devastating” and describing it as “a massive loss for the world of chess.”

A report by BBC said that Naroditsky, affectionately known to fans as “Danya,” began playing chess at age six after his older brother introduced him to the game. He quickly rose through the ranks, drawing international attention when he won the under-12 World Youth Championship in 2007 in Turkey. By age 14, he had already authored Mastering Positional Chess, becoming one of the youngest published chess writers.

In 2013, he clinched the US Junior Championship and earned the grandmaster title soon after. He later graduated from Stanford University and became a coach at the Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, continuing to compete while also embracing online platforms.

Naroditsky built a large digital following, with nearly 500,000 YouTube subscribers and over 340,000 Twitch followers. His tutorials, live commentary, and deep analytical insight made him one of the most respected online chess educators and personalities.

In 2022, The New York Times named him its official chess columnist, where he shared puzzles and reflections on the game’s enduring beauty. “Even at my level, I can still discover beautiful things about the game every single time I train, teach, play, or commentate,” he said in an interview with the publication.

However, his death has reignited tensions from a prior controversy. Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik had previously accused Naroditsky of cheating during online matches in 2024. Naroditsky strongly denied these claims and called Kramnik “worse than dirt.” The feud drew significant attention within the chess world.

Following Naroditsky’s death, Kramnik resurfaced the dispute with vague allusions to potential substance abuse, mental health issues, and alleged misconduct by Naroditsky’s circle in concealing his struggles.

These claims, made without evidence, have been widely condemned, with many accusing Kramnik of harassment and insensitivity.

Though the cause of death remains officially undisclosed, Kramnik’s remarks have reopened difficult conversations about mental health, online harassment, and accountability in the professional chess community.