Daniel Naroditsky, American grandmaster with Ukrainian roots, passes away at 29
Photo: Daniel Naroditsky (x.com/FIDE_chess)
In the United States, renowned chess player and popular streamer Daniel Naroditsky, who had Ukrainian roots, has passed away at the age of 29. The Guardian highlights what made the talented grandmaster well-known.
Early steps in chess
Naroditsky was born on November 9, 1995, in San Mateo, California, to a family of immigrants from the former USSR. His father, Volodymyr, was a mathematician from Ukraine, and his mother, Lena, was a pianist from Azerbaijan.
Daniel learned to play chess at six from his older brother, Alan. By nine, he topped the US rankings in his age group, and at 11, he became the world champion for under-12 players.
At 18, Naroditsky earned the grandmaster title and later graduated from Stanford University with a degree in history.
Achievements and victories
Naroditsky was among the top 200 classical chess players in the world and ranked within the top 25 in rapid chess.
In August 2025, he won the US Blitz Championship with a flawless 14-0 record.
His most notable victory was against world No. 2 Fabiano Caruana at the 2021 US Championship.
Making chess more accessible
Beyond tournaments, Naroditsky became an internet legend. Under the nickname Danya, he attracted hundreds of thousands of viewers on Twitch and YouTube, explaining chess moves with humor, clarity, and enthusiasm.
His channels had over 800,000 subscribers, and he became one of the most prominent figures of the "new wave" of chess popularizers.
"He could explain the game to an ant," recalled international master Levy Rozman.
Naroditsky also wrote for The New York Times, creating chess columns and interactive puzzles.
His last YouTube video, published a few days before his death, was titled "You Thought I Was Gone!?" In it, Daniel smiles while playing an online game.
Cause of death not disclosed
The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky served as head coach, announced his death.
In a statement, he was described as "a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community."
The family asked that he be remembered "for his passion and love for the game." The cause of the talented grandmaster's death has not yet been disclosed.
