Chess Influencer and Grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky Dies At 29 (chess.com) 48
U.S. Grandmaster and beloved chess commentator Daniel Naroditsky has tragically passed away at the age of 29. "The news has sent shockwaves around the chess community, which is grieving the loss of one of the most beloved and influential voices," reports Chess.com. From the report: The devastating news was first shared by Naroditsky's club, Charlotte Chess Center, on Monday, and confirmed by Chess.com with multiple sources: "It is with great sadness that we share the unexpected passing of Daniel Naroditsky. Daniel was a talented chess player, educator, and cherished member of the chess community. He was also a loving son, brother, and loyal friend. We ask for privacy for Daniel's family during this extremely difficult time. Let us honor Daniel by remembering his passion for chess and the inspiration he brought to us all."
Naroditsky, who was three weeks away from turning 30, has long been known as one of United States' most talented players. He achieved his grandmaster title at the age of 18 in 2013, and placed fifth among the highest-ranked juniors in 2015. His last FIDE-rating is 2619, which places him among the top 150 in the world, or the 17th highest-ranked in the United States. He has a peak rating of 2647 from 2017. He leaves a legacy that spans strong over-the-board competition and highly popular chess instruction and commentary on streaming platforms.
Naroditsky, who was three weeks away from turning 30, has long been known as one of United States' most talented players. He achieved his grandmaster title at the age of 18 in 2013, and placed fifth among the highest-ranked juniors in 2015. His last FIDE-rating is 2619, which places him among the top 150 in the world, or the 17th highest-ranked in the United States. He has a peak rating of 2647 from 2017. He leaves a legacy that spans strong over-the-board competition and highly popular chess instruction and commentary on streaming platforms.
Drugs? (Score:2)
Re:Drugs? (Score:4, Interesting)
No, the other reason the family doesn't want to talk about, but we really should.
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The "other reason" presumably being he finally gave in to the pressure that the family put on him to become a chess master and killed himself, so the happy family is trying to be forgotten?
Or did he just fall on the wet bathroom floor that Mom didn't wipe dry?
Naroditsky - alongside a couple of other grandmasters - has been the target of disgraced former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik [chessbase.com] for a long time now. Here's what the #1 player Magnus Carlsen has to say about it [youtube.com], and here's the world #2 Hikaru Nakamura [youtube.com] on the same subject.
Another one of the GMs Kramnik has been pestering was David Navara [chessdom.com], which caused a large ruckus earlier this year.
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Re: Drugs? (Score:2)
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Entitled much? You'll find out how he died when the family wants you to.
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Re: Must be an asshole. (Score:2)
Do you think suicide will just go away if you ban everyone who talks about it? Or do bans cause suicide? What if you aren't banned but see others banned unfairly and that arbitrariness makes everything hu-man seem like a silly charade not worth pursuing further?
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You don't know if this is a Sherlock Homes mystery. Signs of suicide obvious on the scene might be foul play. My news usually goes "Person X was found dead at home, was suffering from depression, investigation on-going", not calling it "suicide" until after investigation is complete. There was a recent case with a politician in my place. First day "found dead", second day "found hanged", days later "suicide" (as per Prosecutor's office conclusions).
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Point being this is "news" exactly right now and tomorrow I won't even remember his name.
You were ignorant before.
Ugh.... (Score:1)
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Another victim of the social media age (Score:3)
Of course you'll never draw a causal link between the online bullying he received from Kramnik and his sycophants, but it's impossible to deny it was related. Just go look at his podcast appearances a few weeks/months ago. He was spending a ton of effort just trying to clear his name from the Kramnik witch hunt, and he looked wrung out.
It's a real shame. Very young, very talented. A great influence in the chess world.
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Would you be able to post links to provide background info? Where would I be able to see that podcast episode you're referring to?
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Re: Another victim of the social media age (Score:2)
I think the most objective overview of cheating allegations was on c squared podcast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?... [youtube.com]
Danya (as he was known online) just released a new youtube video a day ago with the title âoeyou thought I was goneâ
Re: Another victim of the social media age (Score:2)
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Of course you'll never draw a causal link between the online bullying he received from Kramnik
Daniel pretty much did that in his last video before death.
Seemed to take a downturn after Kramnik accused. (Score:1)
He seemed perfectly fine, and then Kramnik started accusing every chess player including Naroditsky of cheating. Considering Kramnik was Nardoitsky's childhood hero, he seemed to be pretty devastated by the accusations, and never really got over them.
Re: Seemed to take a downturn after Kramnik accuse (Score:3)
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Suicide and smarts (Score:2)
A higher functioning brain walks a tightrope without a user manual. Something to be said for being simple and happy.
Never take yourself seriously.
RIP.
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lol. You calling me simple? With your clown's name I guess you are always fun to be around too Rodolpho the Magnificent.
The medical evidence is moot.
My opinion is skewed because suicide stories we hear tend to be about celebs of some kind, they are generally gifted in some way. There are loads of historical references to the bright and the mentally tortured. Churchill's Black Dog comes to mind. Alan Turing's poisonous apple. And it doesn't have to be a dramatic suicide, others do it by inches, drinking them
One of the best chess commentators. (Score:4, Interesting)
Naroditsky was one of the best chess commentators for "not so good" players watching top level games.
Along with Howell and Houska, he took the time to explain the "obvious". All too often a move is "impossible" because it leads to a losing position three or four moves further on, but while that is obvious to any high rated player, most of us miss these things.
Howell tends to play these things out on the board, Naroditsky would often just explain them. Most of the time Naroditsky's level of explanation was just what I needed and get me thinking along the right lines without spoon feeding the answer.
This is a real tragedy.
Magnus did the same thing to Hans (Score:2)
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Magnus Carlson did the same bullying thing to Hans Niemann. Hans had thoughts about ending it too. Guys - when chess is your whole life and then someone falsely accuses you of cheating, your whole world comes crashing down. What is worse is the online peanut gallery that is just hating on life and rage baiting. But these pro streamers and professional players - it hurts them deeply. That's why Magnus Carlson (former world chess champion in the classical format) had to pay a settlement out of court, as he did Hans so bad. I really feel for Danya (Daniel Naroditsky), his family, and his chess community. This is a very said day for chess.
Hans Niemann has been proven a massive cheater. He claims it is only online and not over the board, but what stops most of the elite from doing it is morals and sportmanship - something Niemann thus has proven that he does not have.
Stop using 'influencer' (Score:2)
Because he was not. He was many things, grandmaster, educator, commentator, author, etc, but he was not an influencer. There is no such thing as an influencer. Its called advertising. An ad is an ad is an ad is an ad and no one actually cares to hear about it.