Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dead at 29
The Charlotte Chess Center announced the former World Junior Champion’s death.
- Chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky died from an accidental drug overdose, a toxicology report revealed.
- The report found methamphetamine, amphetamine, and components of kratom in his system.
- Naroditsky was found dead in his Charlotte, North Carolina home in October 2025 at the age of 29.
American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky had multiple drugs in his system and died of an accidental overdose last year, according to documents provided to USA TODAY by the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office.
A newly released toxicology report on Tuesday, Jan. 20 revealed Naroditsky had methamphetamine, amphetamine, 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine in his system at the time of death. The medical examiner’s investigation listed methamphetamine and kratom use as contributing factors to the sudden cardiac event that killed Naroditsky.
The 29-year-old was found dead in his Charlotte, North Carolina home in October 2025 and police began investigating for possible suicide or drug overdose.
The Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky had served as Chessmaster-in-Residence since 2020, announced his death on Oct. 20, 2025. The organization called the situation “unexpected.”
Methamphetamine and amphetamine are addictive synthetic stimulants, while 7-hydroxymitragynine and mitragynine are psychoactive ingredients found in kratom. It’s a drug that is similar to an opioid and “can lead to psychotic symptoms, and psychological and physiological dependence,” according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The medical examiner’s investigation noted “bags of kratom powder” were found in Narodisky’s townhome, as well as over-the-counter blister pack medications from foreign countries for treatments of cough, sore throat and cold. Naroditsky was pronounced dead at the scene on Oct. 19 once his friends became concerned when he missed a flight to Colorado.
Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik was subsequently investigated for his conduct surrounding Naroditsky’s death, with an investigation initiated by the International Chess Federation over public comments Kramnik had made. Kramnik accused Naroditsky of cheating online last year and Naroditsky denied any wrongdoing.
But Noroditsky appeared visibly distressed in his final Twitch broadcast on Oct. 18 as he discussed the controversy and its toll on him, citing comments in the chat. The video was deleted from his official Twitch account, but a copy uploaded to YouTube was reviewed by USA TODAY.
Two days prior to his death, according to the medical examiner’s office, friends said Naroditsky “appeared to exhibitconcerning altered mental status while streaming online,” and they later went to his residence to confiscate 40 pills of “probably Adderrall.” He was last known to be alive on Oct. 18 when he received a DoorDash delivery at approximately 3 p.m. ET.
Naroditsky was a California native who played in five U.S. Championships, according to the U.S. Chess Federation, and secured titles in junior and youth competitions. He won the gold medal in the Under-12 Open section of the 2007 FIDE World Youth Championships, and he won the 2013 U.S. Junior Championship at age 17.
Naroditsky was among the top-ranked in the world in blitz chess, a type of speed chess with specific time rules, as per the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He was also known to have a large online following, thanks to his love for teaching and streaming chess on platforms like Twitch and YouTube.
Naroditsky published a book, “Mastering Positional Chess,” at just 14 years old in 2010 and another, “Mastering Complex Endgames,” in 2012. In addition, he served as a “Chess Life” magazine columnist from 2014 to 2020 and wrote columns about the game for the New York Times.
-USA TODAY reporter Mary Walrath-Holdridge contributed to this story
