American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky dead at 29
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A recently unveiled toxicology report reveals that American chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky, aged 29, had a combination of drugs in his system at the time of his death in his North Carolina residence last month.

The chess genius was discovered deceased on October 19 in his Charlotte home following allegations by family members that he had been accused of using computer “chess engines” for cheating.

Fellow grandmaster Oleksandr Bortnyk found Naroditsky lifeless on his couch, according to a report by the Daily Mail. Naroditsky, who had reached the pinnacle of chess titles at the age of 18, was a prominent figure in the chess community.

Vladimir Kramnik leans over a chessboard during a match in Zurich, Switzerland.

The International Chess Federation has launched an ethical investigation into the actions of Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik. This inquiry follows accusations that Kramnik repeatedly alleged U.S. grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky of cheating.

The toxicology report, supplied to NBC News by the North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, indicated the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, 7-hydroxymitragynine, and mitragynine in Naroditsky’s system at the time of his passing.

Naroditsky’s manner of death has not yet been released.

About one year before Naroditsky’s death, Russian grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik accused him of cheating in online chess, repeatedly posting about the allegations on social media without providing evidence.

A young Daniel Naroditsky smiles behind a chessboard; the chess grandmaster has died at 29.

Daniel Naroditsky, pictured here as a child chess prodigy, became a grandmaster and leading online ambassador for the game. The Charlotte Chess Center announced his death at age 29. (Getty Images)

Naroditsky, who built a large following on YouTube and Twitch, denied the allegations and accused Kramnik of trying to ruin his life, Fox News Digital previously reported.

Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE, the International Chess Federation, referred Kramnik’s statements to the ethics and disciplinary commission, noting “appropriate action” would be taken if evidence of harassment or bullying was found.

Naroditsky defeated Italian American chess grandmaster Fabiano Caruana in 2021 and maintained a top 25 ranking throughout his adult career, winning the U.S. National Blitz Championship just a few months before his death.

Daniel Naroditsky speaks into a microphone during an online chess livestream

U.S. chess grandmaster Daniel Naroditsky appears during a chess livestream.  (YouTube screenshot)

The North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner declined Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

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