About Daniel Naroditsky

Daniel Naroditsky (November 9, 1995 – October 19, 2025), known to fans as Danya, was an American grandmaster, author, commentator and coach. Born in San Mateo, California, he won the 2007 World Youth Under-12 Championship, published his first book, Mastering Positional Chess, at just 14, and earned the grandmaster title in 2013, the same year he won the U.S. Junior Championship.

He became one of the finest speed-chess players in the world, capped by a perfect 14/14 at the 2025 U.S. National Blitz Championship, and taught millions through his Speed Run videos, livestreams and broadcast commentary. Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, where he coached at the Charlotte Chess Center, he died unexpectedly in October 2025 at age 29. His videos remain one of the best free chess educations ever made.

Career highlights

• Grandmaster at 18 (2013)
• World Youth Under-12 Champion (2007)
• U.S. Junior Champion (2013)
• U.S. National Blitz Champion (2025), perfect 14/14
• Author of Mastering Positional Chess (age 14) and Mastering Complex Endgames
• Creator of the Speed Run series