Daniel Naroditsky, the prominent American chess grandmaster and widely admired chess commentator and educator, died unexpectedly at the age of 29 in Charlotte, North Carolina, in October 2025. He was discovered dead at his home by his best friend and fellow chess player Oleksandr Bortnyk after not responding to repeated calls. The exact cause of Naroditsky's death has not been disclosed by his family, who have requested privacy. In the year before his death, Naroditsky faced repeated but unproven accusations of cheating from former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. These allegations caused Naroditsky significant distress, as reported during his final streams. Some suspicions regarding possible substance abuse have been suggested by Kramnik and others, but no official confirmation or cause has been released. Naroditsky was recognized for his achievements in chess, having become a grandmaster at 18, winning the Under-12 World Youth Championship, and ranking highly in blitz chess. Beyond his playing career, he was a popular chess educator, commentator, and livestreamer with a large online following. His sudden death has deeply affected the global chess community, with many mourning the loss of a talented and beloved figure. The full circumstances surrounding his passing remain private and under respect by his family and community.