The death of US chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky is being eyed as a possible suicide or drug overdose — but is still being investigated by a homicide squad, according to a police report.
Officers were called to the 29-year-old prodigy’s home in the southern suburbs of Charlotte at 7:11 p.m. Sunday, according to a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department Incident Report obtained by The Post.
“Upon arrival, an unresponsive subject was located and later pronounced deceased by medic,” noted the report.
US chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky was incoherent, rambling, and half asleep in a concerning final video before he died. YouTube/ChessFlowThe investigation is treating it as a sudden or natural death, the incident report shows.
However, it is still being actively investigated by the department’s homicide unit.
The American grandmaster was found unconscious on a couch at his home by the founder of his chess club, a spokesperson for the club previously told NBC News.
Naroditsky had for months faced repeated attacks by Russian chess grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik, accusing him of cheating in online games.
Naroditsky, a chess prodigy who became a grandmaster — the highest title in the game aside from world champion — at just 18, had consistently denied cheating, while accusing Kramnik, 50, of trying to ruin his life.
Naroditsky’s death is being investigated as a possible suicide or drug overdose. APThe allegations from Kramnik — the chess world champion from 2000 to 2006 — took their toll on Naroditsky’s mental health, according to his mother.
“There was nothing more important to Daniel than his dignity and his name as a chess player. And the ex-world champion was trying to say he’s a cheater,” his mother, Elena Naroditsky, told the Mail Online from her home in California.
“Daniel tried to defend himself so much. The whole world was on Daniel’s side. He played more and more because he was trying to prove that he’s not what he was accused of,” she went on.
“It’s a tragedy. He was my dearest son. He was 29,” Elena said. “He was so brilliant, so incredibly kind and loving, thoughtful, giving, inspiring.”
Daniel Naroditsky was ranked first in the world for chess for boys 12 and under. San Francisco Chronicle via Getty ImagesOn Wednesday, chess’s international governing body said it is considering disciplinary action against Kramnik for pushing unproven cheating allegations against Naroditsky.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.The investigation remains active but is being treated as a sudden or natural death, the incident report shows.
