RIP Daniel Naroditsky



Yesterday night I learned of the news of GM Daniel Naroditsky's passing from our Chess club's Whatsapp group. I was quite taken aback. 

Danya has been one of the dominant internet chess personalities, commentators, and educators of our time. I initially watched him on his Twitch streams pre-pandemic. He used to play the KID and destroy opponents. Of course, when I would try to replicate him and try the KID myself I would be the one getting destroyed.

When I picked chess back up this February (2025), I started watching Danya's speed run series. They were quite educational and much of my opening repertoire today is based off what Danya teaches in the speed run. Sicilian Accelerated dragon for black, Sicilian Alapin for white. Once after losing to a Stafford gambit, I watched his refutation video and now that's what I use when I play as white against the Stafford.

I would watch his speed run in early mornings, while on the treadmill on the gym. If there was any chess problem, I would try to see if Danya had any video about it.  I can't bear to look at any of his videos now, knowing that he is no more.

While he didn't know me, he was one of my chess mentors.

He will be missed 😥

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