Friends of Daniel Naroditsky implored the chess grandmaster to cease playing blitz games mere hours before his passing. The 29-year-old was discovered at his residence in Charlotte, North Carolina, on Sunday, October 20.
Naroditsky frequently streamed his matches on the video platform Twitch, with footage of his final stream still available on YouTube. His channel boasts over half a million subscribers, and his latest upload is approaching one million views.
During his last stream, Naroditsky’s close friends, Peter Giannatos and Oleksandr Bortnyk, were heard conversing with him. Bortnyk, a Ukrainian grandmaster, and Giannatos, the head of the Charlotte Chess Centre, were present during the interaction.
Giannatos advised Naroditsky to rest, to which Naroditsky replied with a request to play a few more games before retiring for the night. Despite the insistence from his friends to conclude the stream, Naroditsky expressed his desire to continue until his next loss.
Concerns were raised over cheating accusations made by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, prompting the World Chess Federation (FIDE) chief executive, Emil Sutovsky, to refer the matter to the ethics and disciplinary committee.
Naroditsky expressed his frustration with the assumptions surrounding his performance post-Kramnik’s remarks, emphasizing his dedication to proving his integrity as a chess player. His mother, Elena, highlighted his relentless efforts to clear his name amidst the allegations.
Following Naroditsky’s tragic death, Kramnik called for a thorough investigation by the police, citing potential financial interests at stake. He pledged his cooperation with law enforcement to uncover the truth behind the circumstances leading to Naroditsky’s passing.
In a heartfelt statement, Naroditsky’s older brother, Alan, mourned the loss of his sibling, describing him as not just a chess grandmaster and educator but also his cherished little brother. Alan reminisced about their inseparable bond as children and their shared love for basketball and inside jokes.
Naroditsky’s legacy as a beloved friend, exceptional human being, and talented chess player lives on in the hearts of those who knew him best.