Overview
- His family announced the unexpected death through the Charlotte Chess Center, which requested privacy as they grieve.
- Authorities and family have not disclosed a cause of death, and no official findings have been shared.
- Naroditsky rose from world under‑12 champion to grandmaster at 18 and most recently won the U.S. National Blitz Championship in August 2025.
- Leading figures and bodies including Hikaru Nakamura and FIDE expressed shock and condolences, highlighting his impact as a teacher and commentator.
- Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik publicly questioned circumstances based on recent streams, but his claims remain unverified as fans note Naroditsky’s final YouTube return video posted days earlier.