In a heartfelt revelation, the mother of Daniel Naroditsky, a former grandmaster and beloved chess figure, has spoken out following her son’s untimely death. She shared that Daniel had been deeply troubled by persistent online allegations accusing him and others of employing computer “chess engines” to gain an unfair advantage.
Naroditsky, who had emerged as a significant force in the chess community, notably through his engaging presence on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, was discovered deceased on Sunday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
The tragic discovery was made by fellow grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk. Concerned after losing contact, Bortnyk went to check on Naroditsky, only to find him lifeless on his couch, as reported by the Daily Mail.
Daniel Naroditsky had captivated audiences with his online chess streams, becoming a familiar face in the chess world. His death has left the community in shock, with authorities awaiting toxicology results. Meanwhile, the International Chess Federation is looking into allegations of harassment by a Russian rival.
Elena Naroditsky, Daniel’s mother, expressed the profound impact the accusations had on her son. “There was nothing more important to Daniel than his dignity and his name as a chess player,” she stated, highlighting the emotional toll the accusations took on him. “The ex-world champion was trying to say he’s a cheater,” she continued, referring to the unfounded claims.
These allegations stemmed from Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, a former world champion from the early 2000s, who began accusing Naroditsky of cheating in online matches last October. Despite the lack of concrete evidence, Kramnik persisted in airing his suspicions on social media over the past year.
Naroditsky, who at 18 became a grandmaster, the highest title in chess aside from world chess champion, had denied the cheating allegations and accused Kramnik of trying to ruin his life.
“Daniel tried to defend himself so much. The whole world was on Daniel’s side,” Naroditsky’s mother said. “He played more and did more and more because he was trying to prove that he’s not what he was accused of.”
Meanwhile, Arkady Dvorkovich, the President of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, referred Kramnik’s statements to the ethics and disciplinary commission for review, promising “appropriate action” if harassment or bullying were found.
In a new interview with Russian broadcaster Match TV, Kramnik said he intends to file a lawsuit against FIDE, claiming the organization misrepresented his remarks about Naroditsky following the American player’s death.
“I did not say anything bad about him, and I demand to confirm these ‘accusations’ of FIDE … with an actual quote. Otherwise, it may become the subject of legal proceedings,” Kramnik said, per excerpts of the interview he posted to his X account.
Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky competes in a tournament game in this undated photo released by Charlotte Chess Center. The California-born prodigy, who became a grandmaster at 18 and later a top U.S. chess streamer, died Monday at 29. (Kelly Cantrelli/Charlotte Chess Center via AP)
Police told the Daily Mail they are awaiting toxicology results to determine what was in Naroditsky’s system. Investigators said there were no signs of foul play and that suicide or accidental overdose are among the possibilities being examined.
“It’s a tragedy. He was my dearest son. He was 29,” Naroditsky’s mother said. “Daniel was such a life. He was so brilliant, so incredibly kind and loving, thoughtful, giving, inspiring.”
Naroditsky was a chess prodigy-turned-grandmaster who helped bring the centuries-old game into the digital age through livestreams and online lessons, He won the Under-12 world championship before becoming a grandmaster at 18 — the game’s highest title short of world champion.
Fellow grandmaster Bortnyk later described in a Twitch livestream that he and a friend entered the apartment after noticing Naroditsky’s television was still on, and that he discovered his friend’s lifeless body.
Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik concentrates during his game against U.S. grandmaster Levon Aronian during the Zurich Chess Challenge 2015 Round 3 in Zurich, Switzerland, Feb. 16, 2015. The International Chess Federation has opened an ethics probe into Kramnik’s conduct after he repeatedly accused U.S. grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky of cheating before Naroditsky’s death. (Ennio Leanza/Keystone via AP)
It came after Naroditsky’s final live stream on Friday in which he reurned after what he said was a “creative break.”
“You thought I was gone forever, but little do you know I’m back and better than ever.”
Meanwhile, Arkady Dvorkovich, the President of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, referred Kramnik’s statements to the ethics and disciplinary commission for review, promising “appropriate action” if harassment or bullying is found.
It comes as several grandmasters, including Hikaru Nakamura and Nihal Sarin, have called out Kramnik’s conduct, saying the Russian pro had harassed Naroditsky and tried to destroy his reputation.
