A toxicology report released by North Carolina authorities has revealed that American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky had a combination of stimulant and psychoactive substances in his system when he died last year. The report, obtained from the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, shows that Naroditsky had methamphetamine, amphetamine, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine in his system at the time of death. The latter two compounds are the primary psychoactive ingredients in kratom, a plant-based supplement that can act as a stimulant or sedative depending on dosage.
Naroditsky, 29, was found dead at his home in Charlotte in October 2025. He was discovered unconscious by two close friends, fellow grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk and Peter Giannatos, founder of the Charlotte Chess Center, where Naroditsky served as head coach. Bortnyk said he went to check on Naroditsky after repeated calls and messages went unanswered. At the time, police said his death was being investigated as a possible overdose or suicide.
After Naroditsky’s death, Bortnyk said his friend had been deeply distressed in the days beforehand, particularly over a public dispute with former world champion Vladimir Kramnik, who had accused Naroditsky of cheating in online games. Kramnik issued a statement expressing condolences while forcefully rejecting claims that his conduct played a role in the grandmaster’s death, saying he and his family were subjected to harassment and death threats. The International Chess Federation (Fide) has said it is examining whether Kramnik should face disciplinary measures.
Naroditsky, known to fans as “Danya”, was one of the most influential figures in modern American chess. A prodigy who became a grandmaster at 18, he later graduated from Stanford University and built a reputation as an elite competitor and gifted communicator. His instructional streams and commentary on YouTube and Twitch helped shape the game’s pandemic-era boom, amassing more than 800,000 followers. He had spoken openly about the psychological toll of cheating accusations.
Tributes poured in after his death from players across generations, with Magnus Carlsen describing him as “a resource to the chess community” and Hikaru Nakamura calling him “the best of us”. The US Championship observed a moment of silence, and Fide has announced plans for a memorial award in Naroditsky’s name.
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts, free help is available in the UK from Samaritans on 116 123.
