Alireza Firouzja, “Daniel Naroditsky was my second at the Grand Swiss”
Daniel Naroditsky, the acclaimed American chess grandmaster, author, streamer, and beloved commentator affectionately known as “Danya,” tragically passed away. The sad and shocking news overwhelmed the chess world and left the community in dismay and shock. Daniel Naroditsky was not only a great player, but a fantastic streamer and educator, a true ambassador of the chess game. One of the frequents tributes on social media today reads, “I started playing chess because of Daniel Naroditsky”
The love for Daniel Naroditsky was and will forever be enormous. The internet space is full of unprecedented amount of tributes for the chess player and PERSON Daniel Naroditsky was. Chessdom will re-publish 40 chess community tributes in memory of Naroditsky.
Day 1: Grant Oen, “Danya Naroditsky, I know you are already up there blitzing with the legends”
Day 2: Michael Takahashi, “From his computer screen, Naroditsky always brought joy to every audience he served”
Day 3: Alireza Firouzja, “Daniel Naroditsky was my second at the Grand Swiss”
Daniel Naroditsky tribute by Alireza Firouzja
Words can’t describe how heartbreaking the passing of my coach, Daniel Naroditsky, is. Just a few days before the Grand Swiss tournament in Uzbekistan which took place a little more than a month ago, I asked him to coach and accompany me. Even though it was a last-minute request and he had to travel across the world to reach Samarkand, he booked his flight and figured everything out within hours. That’s who he was, always there, never hesitating to help. We spent an amazing half month together. I’ll always be grateful for those days and everything I learned from him. Danya was the most genuine person I have ever known. I’ll never forget our late night bullet matches over the past 10 years. he was the only person in the world who regularly beat me in those. Danya, your legacy lives on forever. I’m sure somewhere up there, you’re playing blitz and discussing history with the greats.