Overview
- The Charlotte Chess Center shared the family's statement confirming his unexpected passing and requesting privacy.
- Tributes from leading players and commentators, including Hikaru Nakamura and Chess.com’s Danny Rensch, described profound shock and loss.
- Naroditsky rose from World Youth under-12 champion to grandmaster at 18 and most recently won the U.S. National Blitz Championship in August.
- He cultivated large followings on YouTube and Twitch and posted a final video days ago telling viewers he was returning after a creative break.
- Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik posted unverified concerns about Naroditsky’s recent streams and urged inquiry, with no official cause reported.