U.S. Chess Star Dead At 29 After Smear Campaign Sparks Outrage

The sudden death of American Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, just 29, has shaken the chess world and sparked intense backlash against former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, whose repeated, unproven cheating accusations cast a long shadow over Naroditsky’s final months.

No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.

Widely beloved for his skill, humility, and gift for teaching and inspiring through streaming, Naroditsky — affectionately known as “Danya” — was not only a top chess player but also a vital bridge between the game and its global online audience. His passing has sparked a reckoning within the chess community over harassment, accountability, and the emotional toll of public defamation.

The Naroditsky family shares the sad news of Daniel’s unexpected passing. Daniel was a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community. We ask for privacy as the family grieves. pic.twitter.com/otNdUxDKtL

— Charlotte Chess Center (@CLTchesscenter) October 20, 2025

World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen described the treatment of Naroditsky as “horrible,” placing direct blame on Kramnik’s behavior. “When he started going after Naroditsky so hard — first of all, I don’t think anybody thought Naroditsky was cheating,” Carlsen said. “The way he was going after him was horrible. Seeing how it affected him… it was apparent now.”

Carlsen admitted he had supported Naroditsky privately but regretted not doing so publicly.

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“Probably should have done that publicly as well. It’s a great loss. It’s very sad for all of us that somebody who was such a resource to the chess community… was led to the place that he was.” Carlsen reflected on his early support for Kramnik’s anti-cheating campaign, saying, “At the start, I didn’t agree with his numbers, but I thought he was kind of fighting the good fight. But it turned on its head.”

Indian Grandmaster Nihal Sarin, who played Naroditsky in his final online games, revealed the emotional distress Naroditsky expressed in their last conversations. “He said he was under immense stress due to a lot of accusations, from Kramnik. I can imagine the pain he was going through and the toll on his mental health.”

Sarin noted that those close to him defended him when Kramnik accused him of cheating, making his experience much easier than Naroditsky’s. “Not as many people could be so vocal in supporting Naroditsky,” he said. Sarin believes the campaign of false accusations “literally took a life.”

He recalled their final games: “Our last few games felt very abnormal… It was like he was just freezing. I was worried… and then I did not see him online again. The next day, I heard the news.”

World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, a friend and fellow streamer, did not hold back: “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Kramnik can go f*** himself. He can go f*** himself and go rot in hell.”

Nakamura and others have voiced outrage over Kramnik’s relentless online crusade, which, beginning in 2024, accused dozens of players of cheating, often based on flawed statistical analyses. Naroditsky, known for his honesty and transparency, was deeply affected.

In a December 2024 Twitch stream, Naroditsky acknowledged the campaign was breaking him down: “I don’t think I’m good. I don’t think I’m thick-skinned enough to say, honestly, that that hasn’t been affecting me at all. I’ve been nice and civil and courteous to this army of troglodyte lowlifes for way too long. I’m really sick of it.”

He later described Kramnik’s campaign as “a sustained, evil and absolutely unhinged attempt to destroy my life.”

The World Chess Federation (FIDE) has said it is formally reviewing Kramnik’s actions. CEO Emil Sutovsky confirmed the organization is “looking into” the attacks against Naroditsky. British champion Jovana Houska welcomed the investigation, warning against “trial by social media.”

Naroditsky was more than just a grandmaster — he was a coach, commentator, and role model. The Charlotte Chess Center called him “admired and respected by fans and players around the world.” His Twitch and YouTube channels reached hundreds of thousands of viewers, making chess accessible to a new generation.

As the chess world reels from this tragedy, many now echo the same message: this must never happen again. As Sarin put it: “When respected figures spread unfounded allegations without accountability, real lives are destroyed.”