I am heartbroken by Danya’s passing. We both grew up in the Bay Area, and I looked up to him from a young age. I vividly remember our first blitz games when I was nine, he was kind and generous with his advice afterward. Years later, I ran into him on a flight home from the Reykjavik Open. I nervously approached him, but his warmth and willingness to talk immediately put me at ease. As my chess career continued, we played countless blitz games, and I credit a large part of my improvement to those battles. Danya’s kindness, wisdom, and love for the game left a lasting mark on me. I offer my sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones. We will all miss you dearly.
The Naroditsky family shares the sad news of Daniel’s unexpected passing. Daniel was a talented chess player, educator, and beloved member of the chess community. We ask for privacy as the family grieves.
Politically motivated murder is an assault on the free speech of everyone everywhere. It makes us all less free and less safe. A toxic atmosphere of hate and fear inevitably produces violence, and you cannot cleanse the environment by giving in to its worst effects.
Charlie Kirk is a great man and a great fighter for the cause. Most importantly he’s a husband and a father. I’m praying for him and his family right now. Please do the same.