Community Corner
Bay Area Chess Prodigy And Superstar Dies At 29
A chess superstar, who won a Northern California high school chess championship when he was only in the fifth grade, has died.
SAN MATEO, CA — A Bay Area chess prodigy who became a global chess superstar has died at the age of 29, the Charlotte Chess Center announced on Monday.
“It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky. 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,” read an official statement from Naroditsky’s family that the Charlotte Chess Center posted. “He was also a loving son and brother, and a loyal friend to many. We ask for privacy for Daniel's family during this extremely difficult time. 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.”
The Charlotte Chess Center, where he worked as a coach, did not provide a cause of death, nor were funeral arrangements announced.
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Born in San Mateo, Naroditsky competed in the Bay Area during his youth.
Naroditsky won the 32nd annual CalChess Scholastic competition's high school bracket as a fifth-grader, equivalent to the Northern California championships, according to a report by the Los Angeles Times.
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He rose through the ranks over the years and was considered one of the top players in the world.
He recently gained 500,000 YouTube followers by posting chess strategy videos on YouTube and other platforms, including Twitch. His final, hour-long video, titled "You thought I was gone! Speedrun returns!", was posted on Friday.
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