Daniel Naroditsky, an American chess grandmaster, commentator, and online chess educator, died at the age of 29 in October 2025. A medical examiner’s report released in January 2026 by the Mecklenburg County Medical Examiner’s Office in North Carolina determined that his death was accidental and resulted from a cardiac arrhythmia, an abnormal heartbeat associated with an underlying inflammatory condition known as systemic sarcoidosis. The report also noted the presence of several substances in his system, including methamphetamine and kratom-related compounds, which were considered contributing factors but not at lethal levels.
Naroditsky was a prominent figure in the chess world, achieving the title of grandmaster, one of the highest distinctions in chess, at a relatively young age. He became known not just for competitive play but also for his work as a commentator and educator, gaining a substantial global following through platforms such as YouTube and Twitch. His efforts contributed to popularising chess, particularly speed chess, during a period of increased online engagement.
Born in 1995 and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Naroditsky showed prodigious talent from an early age, including winning youth championships and authoring books on chess strategy. His educational and streaming presence made him widely respected among both professional and amateur players.
According to the medical examiner’s report
Naroditsky was found unresponsive in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina, on October 19, 2025, after friends became concerned when he missed a scheduled flight. Responders pronounced him dead at the scene.
Systemic sarcoidosis, an inflammatory disease that can affect multiple organs including the heart, was identified as an underlying condition associated with the fatal cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac sarcoidosis can disrupt normal electrical conduction in the heart, potentially leading to sudden cardiac events.
Toxicology analysis detected compounds related to methamphetamine, amphetamine, mitragynine, and 7-hydroxymitragynine, the latter two associated with kratom, a plant-derived substance sometimes used for stimulant or sedative effects. The report noted that the presence of these substances could increase the risk of cardiac strain, although their concentrations were not considered independently lethal.
The report ruled out external injury and did not find evidence for intentional overdose, and classified the manner of death as accidental based on the totality of medical and forensic findings.
During the period leading up to his death, Naroditsky experienced public scrutiny, including unproven cheating allegations made by former world champion Vladimir Kramnik. Naroditsky had denied those accusations and spoke publicly about the toll they had taken on him. Although these allegations received attention within the chess community, the medical examiner’s findings did not link them directly to the physiological cause of death.
Reference
Striley, Catherine W., Carolin C. Hoeflich, Andrew T. Viegas, Lindsey A. Berkowitz, Emily G. Matthews, Leyla P. Akin, Chidinma Iheanyi-Okeahialam, Urmeen Mansoor, and Christopher R. McCurdy. “Health Effects Associated With Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa) and Polysubstance Use: A Narrative Review.” Substance Abuse: Research and Treatment 16 (May 20, 2022): 11782218221095873. PMCID: PMC9130800. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9130800/.
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