CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( WBTV /Gray News) - A chess phenom from North Carolina died unexpectedly at 29 years old, his club announced on Monday .

Daniel Naroditsky, a grandmaster from the Charlotte Chess Center, was one of the top-ranked players in the country. As of October 2025, he was ranked as the No. 17 chess player in the U.S. and No. 150 in the world.

“Daniel was a talented chess player, educator, and cherished member of the chess community,” the Chess Center said in a statement. “He was also a loving son, brother, and loyal friend.”

It was not immediately clear what caused Naroditsky’s death.

“We ask for privacy for Daniel’s family during this extremely difficult time,” the Chess Center said. “Let us honor Daniel by remembering his passion for chess and the inspiration he brought t

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