American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dies at 29

"The Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina, where Naroditsky trained and worked as a coach, announced his death on social media, calling him "a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community." "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 said in a statement shared by the center. The cause of death was not immediately known."

"Naroditsky became a grandmaster, the highest title in chess aside from World Chess Champion, at the age of 18. Years earlier, the California-born player won the Under 12 world championship and spent his teenage years writing chess strategy books as he climbed the world rankings. He was consistently ranked in the top 200 worldwide for traditional chess and also excelled at a fast-paced style called blitz chess, maintaining a top 25 ranking throughout his adult career."

"Fellow grandmasters credited Naroditsky with introducing the sport to a wider audience by livestreaming many of his matches and sharing live commentary on others. Thousands of people regularly tuned in on YouTube and the interactive streaming platform Twitch to watch Naroditsky play. "He loved streaming, and he loved trying to be educational. The chess world is very grateful," Hikaru Nakamura, an American grandmaster, said on a livestream Monday."

Daniel Naroditsky, 29, was a chess grandmaster who trained and coached at the Charlotte Chess Center in North Carolina. He became a grandmaster at age 18 after winning the Under 12 world championship and writing chess strategy books during his teens. He consistently ranked among the top 200 in classical chess and remained top 25 in blitz throughout his adult career, winning the U.S. National Blitz Championship in August. He popularized chess through livestreaming on YouTube and Twitch, providing live commentary and instruction to thousands. His family and colleagues praised his passion and educational focus. Cause of death unknown.

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