When news broke of Daniel Naroditsky’s sudden death at age 29, few were more heartbroken than Ukrainian grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk. The two were more than just colleagues in the chess world—they were close friends, collaborators, and key figures in Charlotte’s thriving chess community.
Both grandmasters lived and worked in Charlotte, North Carolina, where they taught, streamed, and competed together through the Charlotte Chess Center (CCC). They weren’t just top players; they were mentors and role models to hundreds of young American chess talents. The CCC’s Elite Chess Team program, launched earlier this year, lists both Bortnyk and Naroditsky as instructors, guiding students toward excellence alongside other GMs like Kayden Troff and Ashwin Jayaram.
Their friendship extended beyond the classroom. In 2023, they jointly won the CCC Memorial Day Rapid Championship, a local event that showcased their mutual respect and competitive spirit. That same year, they collaborated on one of the most detailed chess courses ever produced—the Jobava London Course, a full opening repertoire for White built around their shared favorite system, 1.d4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.Bf4.
The course quickly became popular online. Fans praised its depth, creativity, and the duo’s engaging teaching style. “It’s packed with novelties,” one Reddit user wrote. “You can tell both of them really cared about helping players understand the opening.” Another fan commented that both GMs had “chemistry that made learning chess fun again.”
In a comment under one of the discussions about the course, Naroditsky himself shared how deeply he and Bortnyk cared about their project:
“Thank you for the post. I can confirm that Sasha and I put our souls into the course, and we didn’t hold back a single idea that we’ve harbored and developed over the past few years. I truly believe that the Jobava London is a worthwhile weapon at virtually all levels, and I’ll be releasing supplementary content—as well as a thorough YouTube preview—in the next few days. But I would like to ask for 100% honest feedback. If people aren’t too hot on the course, or if you think it’s overpriced, I’d like to know about it because I’d like courses to be a part of the work I put out, and as with everything else, I strive for complete perfection and value total honesty from my viewers and consumers of my content.”
It was a message that perfectly captured Naroditsky’s humility and dedication. He saw chess teaching not as a business, but as a dialogue with the community—a way to share the beauty of the game while learning from others. His request for “total honesty” reflected the sincerity that earned him such deep respect among fans and peers alike.
For Bortnyk, who immigrated from Ukraine in 2018 and settled in Charlotte in 2022, Naroditsky was not just a colleague but a friend who helped him feel at home. Both were known for their humility and humor during Twitch and YouTube streams—Naroditsky with his calm, thoughtful commentary, and Bortnyk with his warm, playful energy. Together, they represented the new generation of digital chess educators: elite grandmasters who could make complex ideas accessible and enjoyable to millions.
After Naroditsky’s passing, Bortnyk paid tribute on his stream, calling him “not only a great player, but one of the kindest humans I’ve ever met.” His voice broke as he spoke about the impact Daniel had on the chess world and the people around him.
Their connection reflected the best side of modern chess—a blend of friendship, collaboration, and a shared mission to inspire others. In a field often clouded by rivalries and recent controversies, their partnership stood out as something pure and deeply human.
At the Charlotte Chess Center, where both taught weekly classes, an empty seat now sits beside Bortnyk. Students still gather, learning the same openings and ideas that Daniel once explained with passion and precision. The two grandmasters built something lasting together—a legacy of teaching, creativity, and love for the game that will continue long after one of them is gone.
For those who studied their Jobava London course or simply watched their streams, their bond was evident. It wasn’t just about chess—it was about friendship, respect, and the joy of sharing what you love with the world.
In Charlotte, and across the global chess community, that legacy lives on.
I’m Xuan Binh, the founder of Attacking Chess, and the Deputy Head of Communications at the Vietnam Chess Federation (VCF). My chess.com and lichess rating is above 2300, in both blitz and bullet. Follow me on Twitter (X).
