Deeply saddened, hard to believe: Pragg offers condolences on the passing of GM Daniel Naroditsky
Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa took to X to share his shock after learning that U.S. chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, 29, had passed away.
Praggnanandhaa said, “I’m deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Danya. Every time I logged into Chess.com, I would see his challenge for a game. It’s hard to believe that I won’t see it anymore. My heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.” The message came from the same channel that announced Naroditsky’s death, a family post on X via the Charlotte Chess Centre.
Naroditsky was found dead at his San Jose home in California early this week. Authorities say no foul play was involved, though an official cause of death has not yet been released, according to a report in Marca.
He began his chess journey early: a FIDE Master title in 2007 and a World Youth Championship U‑12 win that same year. He finished second in the 2010 U.S. Open, became an International Master in 2011, and captured the U.S. Junior Championship in 2013. That same year he earned the Grandmaster title. His peak classical rating was 2647 in May 2017.
Beyond tournaments, Naroditsky was a prolific author. He started writing “Mastering Positional Chess” at age 10 and published it when he was 14. He also worked as a commentator for major events, especially on Chess.com, and helped bring professional chess to an online audience.
On streaming platforms, he built a strong following. His YouTube channel grew to nearly 500,000 subscribers, and his Twitch streams attracted over 340,000 followers. Fans praised his calm, clear explanations that made complex ideas accessible to players of all skill levels.
Naroditsky’s sudden loss has sent ripples through the chess world. His colleagues and followers remember him not just for his skill, but for his generosity and passion for teaching the game. The chess community mourns the loss of a young, talented grandmaster whose voice will be missed by players worldwide.
Source: ianslive
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
