A tweet from Woman Grandmaster and content creator Dina Belenkaya on November 21, 2025 has sparked debate across the chess community. Her message encouraged fans to donate to a fund created in memory of Daniel “Danya” Naroditsky, the well-known American grandmaster, streamer, commentator, and educator who passed away roughly one month ago. What began as a call for support quickly turned into a discussion about tone, expectations, transparency, and how public fundraising should be communicated.
This article summarizes what happened, what each side said, and why the conversation spread to platforms like X (Twitter) and Reddit. It presents only information from the public posts, without taking a position.
Dina’s Original Tweet and the Intention Behind It
In her initial post, Dina highlighted Daniel Naroditsky’s reach as a creator:
“Danya’s last stream reached 1M people. He had 500k+ subs.
Yet only 1000 people have contributed to the fund.”
She then encouraged fans to give even small amounts, adding:
“If Daniel ever inspired you, made you laugh, taught you, or touched your life, even $5 can help preserve his legacy.”
Dina framed the donation effort as a chance for the chess community to “give back” to someone who had given so much. She ended by saying:
“It’s time for the chess community to step up and show our unified support.”
Her post was widely viewed, with over 62,000 impressions within the first hours. But a significant portion of responses expressed discomfort, leading to a broader public discussion.
Early Criticism: Tone and Perceived Guilt Tripping
One of the first public replies that gained attention came from Kevin J. Begley, an X user who argued that support for Naroditsky as a creator does not automatically translate to support for a fund bearing his name. He wrote:
“Support for Danya does not necessarily translate to support for somebody’s fund using his name.
Few have heard of it.
Fewer have heard a persuasive argument for it.”
He added that attempts to “shame people” for not donating could weaken support rather than strengthen it. Begley suggested using “positive persuasion” instead.
The phrase “guilt tripping” began appearing in multiple replies, and soon the conversation spread to Reddit, where a thread titled “This Tweet From Dina Feels a Bit… Weird” reached hundreds of upvotes. Many Reddit users also interpreted Dina’s message as applying pressure on fans, especially those with limited financial resources.
Dina’s Follow-Up Messages
Dina responded to criticism by stating that she did not intend to offend anyone:
“People are getting offended by this post, but in reality it’s simply asking for a moment of attention and a small gesture of support for the only initiative backed by the family.”
She emphasized that no one was being asked to “dig into savings” or make sacrifices they could not afford. She used an analogy:
“If you can treat yourself to a cup of coffee, you can share one with Danya.”
Critics, however, argued that this comparison reinforced the same pressure they objected to. Begley replied that he was not offended but believed the appeal still relied on guilt rather than providing more information.
Calls for More Transparency About the Fund
Begley also encouraged Dina to explain how the fund works, what its purpose is, and how it would help others, writing:
“My hope was that I might encourage you to share more information about this fund.
Don’t tell people how little it impacts their budget.
Sell the actual merits.”
In response, Dina pointed out that she and other creators had already posted details three days earlier. She argued that the fact many people had not seen those posts showed how quickly information gets lost in social media feeds. But she also noted that the official announcement and donation page already explain the goals of the initiative, which include a memorial tournament and a scholarship program for talented young players.
Begley insisted that many users had genuinely not seen the earlier announcements. He argued that anyone asking for donations should include the link each time. He described the ongoing exchange as “tragically counterproductive.”
Additional Criticism From Other Users
Other commenters raised broader concerns. One recurring theme was the difference in financial realities between creators and viewers. Some asked why well-known creators, who presumably earn more, did not contribute larger amounts instead of appealing to ordinary fans. One user wrote:
“Why ask 5 dollars of ordinary people? Ask 500,000 from Hikaru Nakamura or GothamChess.”
Dina replied that there was a misunderstanding about how much influencers earn and stressed that the number of supporters, not the size of any single donation, was key.
Some users also questioned the timing of the fundraising. A Reddit commenter noted that the fund launched only about a month after Naroditsky’s passing and said the effort felt “strange” so soon after the tragedy, even if the intention was sincere.
Others mentioned that many of Naroditsky’s fans are children or people in countries where $5 represents a significant amount. Several Reddit users explained that international payment systems are not always accessible, especially in places like India, and that personal financial situations vary widely.
Another discussion point was the scale of the financial goal. According to Reddit comments, the fund had already raised over $500,000, but the long-term target was around $4 million, which some called extremely ambitious. Multiple users said the halfway milestone could have been presented more positively instead of focusing on the number of donors.
Tone, History, and Community Perception
Reddit discussion also revived past criticisms of Dina’s online persona. Some commenters referenced older videos where viewers felt she had acted aggressively or disrespectfully toward casual or low-rated opponents. Others argued that such past incidents made the recent tweet more likely to be interpreted negatively.
However, several Reddit users defended her, pointing out that English is her second language and that tone can be misread. Others emphasized that grief and stress may lead people to choose words imperfectly.
Still, the core disagreement returned to messaging: many viewers believed that the wording of the donation appeal created unnecessary pressure, while others felt the message was simply a passionate attempt to honor Naroditsky.
What Supporters of the Fund Say
Supporters, including some Reddit commenters, reminded others that the fund is backed by Naroditsky’s family and the chess club where he grew up. They described the goals as honoring his legacy through scholarships and an annual over-the-board blitz tournament. They also argued that memorial tournaments are common in many countries and communities.
These supporters disagreed with the idea that the fund was inappropriate, poorly planned, or exploitative. They viewed it as a meaningful tribute organized by people close to Naroditsky.
Why the Debate Grew So Quickly
Several factors contributed to the spread of the controversy:
- Large public figure: Dina has a major online presence.
- Emotionally sensitive context: Naroditsky was widely loved, and his death shocked the chess world.
- Financial appeals: Asking for money often invites strong reactions.
- Diverse audience: Chess fans come from many economic backgrounds and countries.
- Different expectations: Some expect gentle, optional messaging; others accept direct appeals.
- Social media amplification: Posts get shared widely and interpreted in many ways.
Each of these elements multiplied the effect of Dina’s initial wording and the replies that followed.
The Broader Discussion: How Should Public Figures Ask for Donations?
The debate eventually expanded beyond Dina’s tweet. Some users compared her approach to other chess creators, noting that figures like Eric Rosen and John Bartholomew had also shared the fundraising link but emphasized donating only if financially able.
Others pointed out that many community members prefer supporting local chess clubs or charities in their own countries rather than participating in international funds. Still others said that honoring Naroditsky can take many forms and does not require a financial contribution.
A common theme was that people want clarity about how a fund operates, why it exists, and what the money will support.
About the Naroditsky Memorial and Fellowship Fund
The Naroditsky Memorial and Fellowship Fund was launched by the Charlotte Chess Center, the Charlotte Chess Center Foundation, and Daniel Naroditsky’s family. The fund was announced on November 20, 2025. It was created to honor Naroditsky’s memory and to continue work he cared about.
The fundraising goal is $4,000,000. The money is intended to support two main initiatives:
- The Naroditsky Memorial Blitz & Rapid — an annual over-the-board tournament in Charlotte, North Carolina. Organizers say the event aims to attract top international players while also welcoming hundreds of amateur participants.
- The Naroditsky Fellowship — a scholarship program for talented young chess players. The fellowship is described as support for students who show promise and who want to pursue chess at a high level.
Organizers have said the initiative is meant as a positive legacy and not as retribution. The Charlotte Chess Center’s founding executive director, Peter Giannatos, is quoted emphasizing the fund’s goal to continue Naroditsky’s work and values.
Early support exceeded $350,000. The Charlotte Chess Center and Chess.com each contributed $100,000. Other named donors include GM Hikaru Nakamura, IM Eric Rosen, WFM Alexandra Botez, and IM John Bartholomew. Chess.com’s leadership also made personal contributions.
The fund’s donation page lists details about the initiatives and how the money will be used. For those in the United States, organizers offered a text-to-give option: text DANYA to 53-555. A direct giving link and a QR code were also provided on the official page.
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