On October 19th, 2025, the chess community lost an astounding player, teacher, and human being: Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.
A few years ago, I attended the Carolinas Classic, an annual tournament held by the Charlotte Chess Center. I was animate to be attending, as I read of the prestige the CCC has in the chess community, and the titled players that are usually in attendance. On the other hand, I was incredibly anxious to play in such a competitive space. The players around me wore a stern face, while I couldn’t decide whether to fear them or attempt to talk to them.
Meanwhile, the round was almost ready to start, rows of boards, pieces, and clocks laid out in a large hall. The younger players were delighted at this scene, while the older ones prepared their opening lines and chatted amongst themselves. In the midst of all of this, I noticed the titled players towards the end of the hall. Some were familiar, such as former coaches and notable North Carolina players. Though, out of all of them, I saw him: Daniel Naroditsky. I was stunned! I knew Naroditsky was a resident in the Charlotte area, but seeing him in-person was quite unexpected. His streams online always left me astounding at the speed and precision that he moves at. (A reason for my speed chess addiction)
Unfortunately, before I mustered the courage to walk to him, the arbiter announced the starting of the round. I sighed, and walked towards my board, though fulfilled I was able to see a player I looked up to, seated a few couple feet away from me. It was an irreplaceable feeling, one that I will never forget.
After all the rounds concluded, I was able to see Naroditsky one more time, as he won the event, and dominated in the blitz. This was not surprising to anyone though, as I fondly remember during this section players were elicit to get the chance to play him, but also fearful of the fact that they would be attacked with no mercy. I would crave the chance to play him as well, though unfortunately now I will never get that opportunity.
Photo: Lennart Ootes
Along with his presence at CCC tournaments, I am indebted to consider him as a coach. As my rating was rapidly advancing during this time, I was recommended to join the Pro Chess Training program. I was dumbfounded when I noticed the coaches listed on the site. R.B. Ramesh, considered one of the premier Indian coaches, David Navara, a thirteen-time national champion, Boris Gelfand, a former world chess championship challenger, and Daniel Naroditsky, a world youth chess champion and national blitz champion. I couldn’t comprehend seeing all these incredible grandmasters in one program!
Without hesitation, I registered for the program. The elation I had to get the opportunity to learn from these masters was immeasurable. As the weeks past, I would study over my games and read the books I bought from past tournaments. As the lessons came around, I would attend as early as the meeting opened, and soak in all the knowledge that I could. Embarrassingly, I couldn’t hold the zeal of learning from Naroditsky, and would send a message in the meeting chat stating how much of a fan I was of him, not noting that the message was set to public than private. Not my finest hour over the chess board.
The last time that I saw Naroditsky was the K-12 Chess Championship, my last opportunity to play in this tournament as I was an incoming student at North Carolina State University. As the tournament concluded and I was walking out of the Raleigh Convention Center with my father to our car, I saw Naroditsky talking and laughing with what seemed to be a few of his students. My eyes widened as I got my father’s attention and told him:
“That’s Daniel Naroditsky, the strongest grandmaster in North Carolina, an outstanding speed chess player, and incredible chess teacher.”
Danya was the player that I admired the most. He drove me to the chess player that I am today, and taught me more than any other. His teaching and methodology is one that motivated me to teach chess to others, and share the love that he held for this timeless game.
Thank you, Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky.