SAN FRANCISCO — New details have been released in the death of a 29-year-old chess grandmaster.
Investigators said Daniel Naroditsky died on October 19, 2025, from an accidental drug overdose in Charlotte, North Carolina.
A medical examiner in North Carolina says the chess star had a dangerous mix of drugs in his system when he died, including meth.
MORE: Remembering beloved chess grandmaster, Bay Area native Daniel Naroditsky
The chess community is remembering Daniel Naroditsky, a chess grandmaster from the Bay Area, who died unexpectedly at the age of 29.
The report shows he also ingested two psychoactive ingredients found in kratom, which is a supplement that can be used as a stimulant.
Naroditsky, who was raised in San Mateo County, California, started as a child prodigy, and quickly became one of the most influential voices in the chess world.
Naroditsky had a massive following worldwide and gained viral fame for winning games while wearing a blindfold.
He graduated from Crystal Springs Uplands School before going on to Stanford University.
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