Daniel Naroditsky, lovingly called Danya, was a well-known American chess grandmaster. He became a Grandmaster at just 18, which is a huge achievement in the chess world. Besides being a top chess player, Daniel was also popular as a streamer on Twitch and YouTube. He was an author, commentator, and content creator too.
On October 19, 2025, shocking news broke that Daniel had passed away at only 29 years old. Fans across the world were heartbroken and confused, trying to understand what happened to him. His family confirmed his passing through the Charlotte Chess Center, where he was an active member. But they did not reveal any details about how he died. They only asked for privacy during this painful time.
Because of this silence, people started speculating. Many fans who had watched Daniel’s last live stream said something felt very off. They shared that he looked strange and seemed to be going through a mental breakdown during the broadcast. One viewer said that Daniel’s eyes were wide open, he was moving his jaw oddly, and at times he spoke incoherently, even switching to Russian. Some even claimed that his body was found by Ukrainian chess player Olexandr Bortnyk, though this has not been confirmed.
Things took an even bigger turn when Russian Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik spoke out about Daniel’s death. He hinted that there might have been foul play involved. Kramnik posted screenshots of a chat where a fan suggested Daniel might have been on drugs during his final stream. He called for a proper investigation into the matter. This post created huge controversy, especially because the two grandmasters had a rough history.
Just a year earlier, Kramnik had accused many online players of cheating in blitz and bullet games. He didn’t name Daniel at first but later said that Danya’s performances seemed “too perfect.” Daniel was hurt and called Kramnik’s behavior “worse than the dirt.” Kramnik then challenged him to a $50,000 match, but Daniel declined and stood by his integrity.
FIDE, the international chess body, even criticized Kramnik for making public accusations without evidence, saying it could damage the reputation of honest players.
Right now, no one knows what truly caused Daniel’s death. But the strange behavior in his final stream, the silence from his family, and Kramnik’s shocking claims have made people question what really happened behind the scenes. Fans are still waiting for answers, hoping the truth comes out soon.
